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TUFTS    UNIVERSITY    LIBRARIES 


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409   905 


Webster  Family  Library  of  Veterinany  Medicine 
Cummings  School  of  Veterinary  Medicine  at 
Tufts  University 


OUR  DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 

THEIR   HABITS,  INTELLIGENCE 
AND   USEFULNESS 


Translated  from  the  French  of  Gos.  DeVoogt,  by 
Katharine  P.  Wormeley 


EDITED    FOR   AMERICA 


BY 


CHARLES  WILLIAM    BURKETT 


WJTH  ILLUSTRATIONS 


BOSTON,  U.S.A. 

GINN  &  COMPANY,  PUBLISHERS 
Cbc  9[tl)fn<Ttim  press 

1907 


Copyright,   1907 
By  GINN   &  COMPANY 


ALL    RIGHTS    RESERVED 


67.10 


JElie   gtbengum    Sre88 

GIXN    5:    COMPANY-   PRO- 
PRIETORS .  BOSTON  •  U.S.A. 


PREFACE   TO  THE   AMERICAN   EDITION 

Our  many  domestic  animals  have  played  an  important  role  in  the  civilization 
of  man.  Without  them  —  especially  the  dog,  the  horse,  the  cow,  and  the  sheep  — 
man's  development  onward  and  upward  would  have  been  slow  and  uncertain.  Those 
countries  in  which  the  problem  of  domestication  did  not  enter  remained  ever  near 
to  barbarism,  never  progressing  beyond  a  certain  limit.  The  American  red  man, 
brave,  cunning,  persevering,  could  not  overstep  the  boundaries  that  limited  his 
civilization,  because  he  had  no  animal  that  he  might  domesticate,  and  no  beast  of 
burden  to  aid  him  in  doing  certain  kinds  of  fatiguing  work. 

This  book  is  concerned  with  these  helpers  of  civilization.  It  is  to  teach  some- 
thing about  their  value  to  man,  so  that  they  may  receive  more  appreciative  attention 
and  more  kindly  consideration  from  the  resident  of  the  city  and  of  the  country,  that 
this  book  appears. 

For  many  photographs  that  are  reproduced  on  the  following  pages  grateful 
appreciation  is  expressed  to  Mr.  John  F".  Cunningham,  Cleveland,  Ohio;  to  Mr. 
Joseph  E.  Wing,  Mechanicsburg,  Ohio;  and  to  the  Ohio  Farmer,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

C.  W.  BL  RKEIT 
Kans.\s  State  Agricultural  College 
Manhattan 


CONTENTS 

Page 
List  of  Illustrations  ............       vii 

Introduction  .............  i 

Chapter 

I.  The  Dog         .............  6 

II.  The  Cat    .         . 73 

III.  The  Horse .......  96 

IV.  The  Ass  and  the  Mule .  158 

V.  The  Sheep •      .         .         .          .         .         .  164 

VI.  The  Goat 190 

VII.  The  Pig .201 

VIII.  Cattle 208 

IX.  The  Gallinaceous  Tribes       ..........         220 

X.  Rabbits      .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         -252 

XI.  The  Birds  of  the  Aviary       ..........  263 

XII.  Pigeons 284 


LIST   OF   ILLUSTRATIONS 


Cock  and  Hen 
Two  Dogs  .  . 
Dogs  .     .     .     . 


Watching  a  Bird  . 

Horse 

On  the  Way  to  the  Hunt 
Collection  of  Animals   . 

Goat 

Rabbit 

Swans 

Dogs 


The  Friend  of  Man 

Ready  for  a  Sea  Bath 

A  Pleasant  Meeting 

Sicilian  Coin 

Are  they  speaking  to  Each  Other? 

Teeth  of  a  Dog  a  Year  Old 

Teeth  at  the  End  of  Two  Years 

Teeth  Worn  and  Blunted  in  an  Old  Dog 

Example  of  the  Elastic  Skin  of  the  Neck 

Example  of  "  Feather  "  on  the  Tail 

Wavy  Hair 

Curly  Hair  (Retriever) 

Long  Hair  (Pomeranian) 

Extra  Long  Hair  (Poodle) 

Woolly  Hair  (English  Sheep  Dog) 

Silky  Hair  (Yorkshire  Terrier) 

Under  Arrest 

Rest  and  Play 

Frolicking 

Astonishment 

They  are  Hot ! 

Too  Hot  in  Front ;  too  Cold  Behind 

Scrutiny 

Modem  Types  of  Fox  Terriers,  Smooth   Haired  and 

Wiry  Haired 

Bulldog,  Pure  Blood 

English  Mastiff 

Champion  Bulldog 

Spotted  Bulldog 

Black-and-Tan  Terrier 

English  Setters     . 

Good  Type  of  Setter 

German  Short-Haired  Hunting  Dog 

Handsome  Pair  of  Gordon  Setters 

Wiry-Haired  Hunting  Dog 

German  Long-Haired  Hunting  Dog 

German  Long-Haired  Hunting  Dog 

Blenheim  Spaniel 

Children  of  Charles  I  {I'aii  Dyci) 

Pug 

Prince  Charles  taking  a  Drive 

King  Charles 

English  Foxhounds  before  their  Kennel 

English  Foxhounds 


fAGE 

I 
I 


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lO 

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'5 
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Page 

Foxhound  Pups  for  Puppy-Dog  Contest 23 

White  Poodle 24 

Black  Poodle 24 

Newfoundland <25 

Dandle  Dinmont  Terrier 25 

Skye  Terrier 25 

Bull  Terrier 26 

Her  Favorite  was  a  Scotch  Terrier 26 

A  Few  Prize  Boxers 27 

Skye  Terrier  with  Long  Ears 27 

Waldmann 28 

German  Basset 28 

French  Basset 29 

Beagles 29 

Cocker  Spaniel 30 

Handsome  Pair  of  German  Hounds 30 

Blackfield  Spaniel 30 

German  Hound  with  her  Young  and  a  Dutch  Sheep 

Dog,  her  Kennel  Companion 31 

German  Watchdog 31 

Spotted  German  Watchdog 32 

Black  Wolf  Dog 32 

Black  and  White  Wolf  Dogs 32 

Prize  Dog 33 

Belgian  Schipperkens t,t, 

A  Very  Fine  Type  of  Woolly-Haired  Retriever    .     .     .  t,t, 

Superb  Collection  of  Pointers 34 

Kennel  of  Pointers   containing   the   Best   Continental 

Types 34 

Glossy-Haired  Retriever 35 

Dutch  Shepherd  Dogs       35 

German  Shepherd  Dog 35 

Wagon  Load  of  Puppies 36 

English  Shepherd  Dog  (Collie) 36 

Old  English  Shepherd  Dog  (Bobtail) 36 

Collie 37 

German  Terrier  (Pincher) 37 

English  Terrier  (Irlandais) 37 

Dutch  Terrier  (Smousje) 37 

Airesdale  Terrier 37 

Scotch  Greyhound 37 

Russian  Greyhound  (Barzoi)  Lebedka 38 

Arabian  Greyhound  (Slougi) 38 

A  Short-Haired  Greyhound 39 

St.  Hubert  Dogs 39 

The  Barrel  Kennel 41 

A  Kennel  of  Past  Times 41 

The  Model  Kennel 41 

The  Same  Kennel  Wide  Open 41 

Large  Kennels  seen  from  Without 43 

Large  Kennels  seen  from  Within 42 

Rewarded 43 

Larder  for  Kennels 43 

Dog  with  a  Korthal's  Collar 44 

Extra  Wide  Collar  for  Bulldogs 44 


Vlll 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Pace 

"Pups!   Pups!" 45 

"  Ladies,  come  in  !  "       45 

A  Walk  witli  a  Dog  on  a  Chain  is  often  but   Half  a 

PMeasure 4^1 

Choose  between  Me  and  your  Machine 46 

Agreeable  Promenade  for  the  Dog 47 

Articles  used  for  the  Feeding  of  Dogs 47 

Indispensable  Articles  for  the   Kennel  and  Wardrobe 

of  Dogs 4S 

A  Dog  ought  to  eat  with  Pleasure 48 

He  ought  never  to  have  too  much  to  eat 49 

A  Good  Combing 49 

Comb  off  the  Dead  Hair 50 

Toilet  Completed 50 

Maternal  Cares 51 

Young  Mastiffs 52 

Young  Basset  Hounds  —  German 52 

How  to  Lift  a  Young  Dog 53 

How  not  to  Lift  Him 53 

Burying  the  Dog 54 

A  Distinguished  Member  of  the  Humane  Society     .      .  55 

German  Police  Dog 56 

Dogs  of  the  River  Brigade,  Paris 56 

Bloodhounds:  the  Quarry  is  Found 57 

A  Brigade  of  Life-Saving  Dogs  organized  by  ^L  Lepine, 

Prefect  of  Police  at  Paris 57 

German  War  Dog 58 

St.  Bernard  (German  Type) 58 

St.  Bernard 59 

A  Splendid  Lot  of  St.  Bernards 59 

Overwrought  Draft  Dog 60 

A  Fine  Team 60 

Dogs  of  the  Customs  Service  at  Roubaix 61 

Ready  to  Start 61 

Customhouse  Otiftcers  and  their  Dogs 62 

An  Arrest 62 

Ready  to  obey  Orders 63 

'Careful  Bringer  of  Game 63 

Charging,  after  bringing  it  Home 64 

Playing  Chess 64 

A  Sporting  Dog  should  seize  cautiously 65 

Retrieving  from  the  River 65 

Charging  after  the  Shot  is  fired 65 

Circus  Training 66 

A  Difficult  Feat  which  requires  Long  Practice     ...  66 

Judging  Dogs  for  E.xhibition 67 

Conscious  of  his  Victories (17 

Dog   trying    to    cross    the    Frontier  with   Contraband 

Goods 68 

A  Promising  Young  Dog 68 

Decorated  with  Champion's  Cross 69 

Traveling  Cage 69 

Traveling  Basket 69 

Trained  to  hunt  Rats 70 

Driving  out  after  an  Illness 71 

Blue-White,  Long-Haired  Male  Cat 74 

Persian  Cat,  "  .Silvery  Jessamine  " 75 

Cat  of  Bubastis,  Ancient  Egypt 76 

Sunning  Herself 77 

Half-Wild  Burmah  Cat 77 

Midday 78 


Page 

Ten  at  Night yg 

Si-\  in  the  Evening 79 

.Apparently  .Asleep,  but  watching  a  Mouse 80 

Dangerous  Situation  for  the  Cockatoo 80 

On  the  Watch 81 

Tolerance Si 

Little  Miscreants 82 

Spanish  Cat  of  Three  Colors 82 

Long-Haired    Cat    in     Four    Colors —  Black,    White, 

Brown,  and  Blue S3 

Tabbies S3 

Young  White  Cat 84 

Blue  Persian  Cat 84 

A  Celebrated  Tabby.    A  Prize  Winner 85 

White  Persian  of  Great  Beauty 85 

Blue  Persian  Cat 86 

Siamese  Cat 86 

Male  Angora  Cat 87 

Female  Angora  Cat       87 

Blue  Cat  with  a  very  Remarkable  Head 88 

Nursing  Mother 88 

Brown  Angora  Cat  (Male) 89 

Celebrated  Persian  Cat,  "  Fulma  Zaidee  " 89 

Young  Tricolor  Cat 90 

Uses  of  an  Old  Hat gi 

Booted  Cat       gi 

A  Dangerous  Plaything 92 

Mischief g2 

Making  .Acquaintance  with  Photography g2 

Climbing g3 

"  They  mean  to  fling  me  into  the  Water " g4 

A  Horse  (front  view) g6 

A  Family  Party 97 

Half-Blood  Mare  of  Holstein 98 

Head  of  Horse  born  White  (Albino) g8 

Our  Faithful  Friends 98 

On  the  Road  in  Ohio gg 

Spotted  Horses  of  the  Steppes gg 

Cossacks  of  the  Guard  (Russia) 100 

Ready  for  Transport  (Libou,  Russia) 100 

Horse  Market,  Utrecht,  Holland loi 

Bitjoug  Stallion  (Russian) 102 

Orloff  Mare  (Russian  Trotter) 102 

Oldenburg  Coach  Horse  (Mare) 103 

Same  Horse  Trotting 103 

Blue-White  Mare  (German  Coach  Horse) 104 

Light  Bay  Oldenburg  Mare 104 

Pinzgau  Horses  (German  Half-Blood) 105 

Half-Blood  Hungarian  (Jucker) 106 

French  Coach  Horse Ic6 

Half-Blood  Hungarian  (Jucker) 106 

French  Saddle  florse 107 

French  Draft  Horse 107 

Percheron 108 

Breton  Pony log 

The  English  Thoroughbred  Running  Horse    ....   109 

Hunter  "Tom  Brown" no 

Hackneys no 

Stallion  Polo  Pony,  "  Mootrub  " no 

Welsh  Pony  with  Foal n  i 

Shetland  Ponies in 


LIST   OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


IX 


Pace 

Shire  Horse n- 

Clydesdales 1 1  - 

Competition  of  English  Cart  Horses  held  in  Regent's 

Park  in  1903 iij 

Suffolk-Punch  Mare,  "  Queen  of  Diamonds"  .  .  .  .114 
"  Reve  d'Or,"  Stallion  of  Heavy  Belgian  Draft  Breed  114 
Type  of  a  Two-Vear-Old  Ardennes  Stallion     .     .     .     .115 

Frisian  StaUion 116 

Frisian  Stallion,  Jet  Black 116 

Jutland  Horse i'7 

Olander  Ponies,  Sweden 117 

Norwegian  Pasture  for  Horses itS 

Prussian  Stallions 119 

Pure-Blooded  Arabian   Stallions 119 

Kentucky  Horse i-O 

Horses  in  Corral,  Wyoming 130 

"  Interest  " i-i 

Spanish  Step i-i 

Making  him  Kneel I2i 

The  Celebrated  Trainer,  M.  Oscar  Carre IJ2 

Obstacles  to  Leap 123 

Interior  of  a  Riding  School 123 

Ready  to  Start 124 

A  Noble  Breed 124 

Returning  from  a  Ride 125 

Inspection  of  a  Riding-School  Horse 126 

A  Young  Cavalier 126 

A  Good  Type  of  Saddle  Horse 127 

Break  of  a  Horse  Dealer 127 

Harness  Horse  born  White  (Albino) 127 

English  Hansom  Cab 12S 

A  Well-Harnessed  Horse 12S 

A  Set  of  Six 128 

A  Famous  Six-Horse  Team 129 

First  Prize,  Work-Horse  Parade,  Boston 129 

A  Set  of  Nine 130 

Watering 13° 

A  Prize-Winning  Team  in  Chicago 131 

Team  of  Farm  Horses,  Ohio 131 

Winter 132 

The  Statue  of  William  the  Silent  at  The  Hague       .      .133 

Types  of  Cavalry  Horses 133 

Remounts 134 

Raising  the  Leg  of  a  Restive  Horse 134 

Exercise  in  Drawing 134 

A  Captain  of  the  Republican  Guard 135 

Uhlans  of  the  Guard 135 

Hold  Firm! 136 

The  Republican  Guard,  Full  Dress 136 

Trumpeters  of  the  Cuirassiers 137 

Horse  of  a  German  Artillery  Officer 137 

German  Bodyguard       13S 

English  Lancers  searching  for  the  Enemy -139 

Horses  of  the  English  Army 140 

Training  to  Hunt 140 

Training  to  Hunt 141 

The  Meet 141 

Type  of  Hunter 142 

The  Favorite 142 

Ready  for  the  Race 143 

Before  the  Race 143 


P 

Quo  Vadis 

"  Derby  Day  "  in  other  Days 

"  Derby  Day  "  in  our  Day 

Scene  at  Newmarket 

The  Race  Won 

Flying  Fox 

A  Superb  Jump 

Cresceus  2.02)^ 

Trinqueur,  French  Trotter 

Russian  Trotter 

Hambletonian  Stallion 

Dan  Patch  1.55X 

Directum  2.05?+ 

Champion  Double  Team,  "  Sometimes  "  and  "  Always" 

Brushing  Him 

Horses  Ready  for  Transport 

Cleaning  Him 

Coming  In 

Before  Critics 

At  the  Blacksmith's 

Shoeing  for  Mules 

Shoes   with   Soft   Cushions   of   Tow,   Cork,   Felt,    and 

Gutta-percha 

Stables  of  a  Riding  School 

Interior  of  a  Riding-School  Stable 

A  Straw  Bath        

Cow  Ponies  on  a  Nebraska  Ranch 

The  Wild  Ass 

Sicilian  Donkeys 

"Orphan  Boy,"  Grand-Champion    Jack,    World's   Fair 

A  Trained  Zebra 

On  the  Beach        

A  Pair  of  Young  Mules 

White  Donkeys 

A  Donkey 

A  Zebrule 

"  Romulus,"  a  Celebrated  Zebrule 

A  Dutch  Sheep  Farm 

Milking  a  Sheep 

A  Mouflon  Ram 

A  Cotswold  Ram 

Persian  Fat-Tailed  Sheep — Ram,  Kwe,  and  Lamb  . 

Dutch  Sheep 

Cheviot  Ewes,  First  Quality 

A  Wallachian  Ram        

Wyoming  Shepherd  and  his  Outfit 

Sheep  Ranching  Scene  in  Alberta,  Canada      .... 

Very  P'ine  Cheviot  Ram 

Oxford  Down  Ram 

A  Morning  Walk 

A  Trio  of  Oxford  Down  Champions  on  Exhibition  . 

Hampshire  Down  Ram 

Shropshire  Rams 

A  Rare  Species  of  the  Shropshire  Breed 

The  Shower  Bath 

Sheep  Baths 

Ram  of  Old  Leicester  Breed 

Ready  to  Start  for  the  Paris  Exhibition 

A  Leicester  Ram 

A  Suffolk  Ram 

A  Lincoln  Ram 


44 
45 
45 
46 
46 
47 
47 
48 
48 
49 
50 
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51 
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76 
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X 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Page 

A  Family  of  Exmoor  Sheep '7^ 

Grand-Champion  Lincohi  Ewe 179 

A  Kent  Ram,  Champion  at  Many  Exhibitions      .     .     .179 

A  Southdown  Ram iSo 

A  Very  Fine  Specimen  of  a  Dorset  Ram iSo 

Welsh  Ewes i^^^i 

A  Celebrated  Mountain  Ram  with  lilack  Head  .     .     .   iSi 

A  Welsh  Ram "Si 

A  Merino  Sheep        'S- 

Shetland  Sheep 'S2 

A  Madagascar  Sheep 1S3 

Sheep  on  the  Swiss  Alps        1S4 

Spanish  Sheep 1S4 

A  Group  of  Ohio  Rams 1S5 

Sheep  on  the  Hillside,  Wyoming 1S5 

Ewe  and  Lamb,  Ohio 1S5 

Competition  for  Shepherds  in  Germany 186 

Sheep  Market  in  Holland 1S6 

En  Route  for  the  Slaughter  House iSy 

Sheep  Market  in  Paris 1S8 

Very  Long  Fleece iSS 

A  Dutch  Goat H»o 

Swiss  Milch  Goats 19' 

The  Support  of  the  Family 19- 

Sarnen  He-Goat        '9- 

French  Milch  Goat        193 

Goats  called  "  Hertgeite" I93 

Belgian  Goats  with  Horns ii)4 

Belgian  Goats  without  Horns ">S 

Swiss  Goats  called  "de  Sarnen  " i'i5 

Three  Mahese  Goats  (left),  Two  Native  Belgian  Goats 

(center) '9'' 

A  Dangerous  Situation 196 

Wonderful  Tolerance  ! '97 

Norwegian  He-Goat '97 

Ready  to  take  out  Baby 19S 

Vearhng  Angora  Buck 19S 

Exhibition  of  Goats  in  Harness 199 

Yearling  and  Aged  Angora  Bucks,  California       .     .     .199 

Playfulness       -oo 

A  Drove  of  Hogs  in  Ohio -02 

Pigs  at  Home -03 

Grand-Champion  Tamworth  Boar  and  Sow      ....   204 

Property  of  Ohio  State  University 205 

Feeding  Pigs -oO 

Mother  Hog  and  Little  Ones 206 

Cow  with  Uneven  Horns 20S 

Two  Orphans        208 

Norman  Milch  Cow 209 

Maternal  Cares 209 

French  Steer -lo 

In  Alabama -'° 

Good  Draft  Oxen 211 

Ruminating 211 

Bull,  French  Breed        212 

An  American  Type 212 

In  Scotland 212 

Milking  Cows  in  France 213 

A  Fine  Dutch  Bidl 213 

A  Winner  in  Three-Vear-Old  Class  at  Stark  County 
Fair 213 


Page 

Team  of  Four  Oxen  in  the  Nivernais 214 

In  Alabama 214 

Good  Dutch  Pasturage 215 

Groningen  Bull 213 

Cornelia  XXVII,  Celebrated  Dutch  Milch  Cow  .     .     .215 

Friesland  Milch  Cow 216 

Dutch  Calves        216 

Head  of  Highland  liull,  ••  Sir  Audrey  "  .     .     .     ■     .     .  2i5 

Grand-Champion  Hereford  Bull  and  Cow 217 

Shorthorn  Cattle 217 

Hornless  Cattle 21S 

In  Ohio        218 

Long-Horned  English  Bullocks 219 

Mr.  Cock 220 

The  Mrs.  Hen 221 

The  Family  Complete 221 

White  Wyandotte  Cock 222 

"  Ursus" 222 

Plymouth  Rock  Cock        222 

"Nero"        223 

Black  Cochin-China  Cock 223 

Black  Minorca  Cock 223 

Plymouth  Rocks        224 

A  Brahma  Hen 225 

"  Rita,"  a  Braekel  Pullet  Prize  \Yinner 225 

A  Mechlin  Coucou  Hen 226 

White  Mechlin  Cock .  226 

A  Mechlin  Coucou  Cock 226 

Mother  Hen  with  Little  Duckhngs 227 

Incubating  Box 227 

Incubators        228 

Incubator  with  Chicks  One  Hour  Old 229 

White  Mechlin  Hen 229 

A  Celebrated  Specimen  of  the  Mechlin  Breed      .     .     .   230 

Dutch  Hen,  Goudpe!  Breed 230 

Cock  of  Fine  Stature 230 

A  Silver  Braekel  Hen 231 

Vear-Old  Pullets       231 

The  First  Egg 232 

A  Divided  Hen  Yard 233 

Poultry  Yard 234 

White  Wyandotte  Hen 234 

Silver-Penciled  Wyandotte  Hen 235 

Silver-Penciled  Wyandotte  Cock 235 

Partridge-Colored  Wyandottes        235 

Cocks'  Combs  are  a  Dainty  for  Epicures 236 

Black  Minorca  Cock 236 

A  Typical  Light  Brahma  Hen ■  237 

A  Fine  Specimen  of  the  Cochin-China  Breed       .     .     .237 

Plymouth  Rock  Hen 237 

White  Leghorn  Hen 238 

A  Brahma  Cock 238 

A  Pair  of  Mechlin  Coucous 23S 

A  Lover  of  Fights 239 

Small  German  Cock 239 

A  Paduan  Cock 239 

A  Dutch  Cock  with  White  Topknot 240 

A  Dutch  Cock,  Goudpel  Breed 240 

The  Dutch  Breed  "  Zilverlaken  " 240 

A  Silver  Braekel  Hen 240 

A  Ladder  for  the  Babies 241 


LIST   OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


XI 


Pace 

A  Hen  with  Young  Ducklings 241 

Inclosure  for  Ducks 242 

Wild  Ducks 242 

Indian  Runner  Ducks  (Male  and  Female) 243 

Speed 243 

Muscovy  Ducks  (Male  and  Female) 243 

Geese  fattening  for  the  Market 244 

A  Family  of  Geese 245 

The  Arrival  of  the  Feeder 245 

Toulouse  Geese 245 

Chinese  Geese 246 

German  Geese 246 

Embden  Geese 247 

A  Pair  of  American  Bronze  Turkeys 247 

Turkeys  in  a  Field 24S 

Young  Turkeys 248 

Turkeys  in  a  Park 249 

A  Swan's  Nest 249 

The  Bosom  of  the  Family 250 

Black  Swans 250 

White  Swans 251 

A  Dark  Silver  Rabbit 252 

A  Pair  of  Russian  Rabbits 252 

An  English  Lop-Eared  Rabbit  (Female) 253 

An  English  Lop-Eared  Rabbit  (Male) 253 

A  Leporide  Rabbit  (Female) 253 

A  Blue-and-Tan  Rabbit 254 

A  Giant  Flanders  Rabbit  (Female) 254 

A  Young  Giant  Flanders  Rabbit 255 

A  Giant  Vienna  Rabbit  (Male) 255 

A  Leporide  Hare-Colored  Rabbit 256 

A  French  Lop-Eared  Rabbit 256 

A  White  Angora  Rabbit 257 

A  Light  Silver  Rabbit        257 

A  Dutch  Rabbit 258 

A  Russian  Rabbit 2  58 

A  Tricolor  Rabbit  of  Japan 259 

A  French  Papillon  (Male) 259 

A  Blue  Beveren  Rabbit  (Male)        260 

A  Polish  Rabbit 260 

A  Black-and-Tan  Rabbit 260 

Box  for  Transporting  Rabbits 261 

A  Dutch  Rabbit  (Ill-Marked) 261 

A  Female  Leporide  with  her  Young 262 

Wild  Canaries  and  their  Nest 263 

The  Norwich  Canary 264 

A  Norwich  Canary  with  Hood        265 

Cage  for  Small  Birds 265 

A  Nor^vich  Canary  with  Gray  Hood        266 

Young  Thrushes       266 

The  Red  Bengal  Finch 267 

An  English  Canary  with  Hood       267 

The  Tricolor  Canary 26S 


Page 

The  Gray  Wagtail 268 

The  Toilet  of  a  Canary  for  the  Exposition       ....  269 

Dry  with  Care  ! 269 

The  Arrest  of  a  Fugitive        270 

The  Woodpecker 270 

Our  Friend  the  Sparrow 271 

Nonnettes  with  Black  Head  and  Blue  and  Black  Belly  271 

An  Aviary  de  Lu.xe       272 

Grand  Annual  Exposition  at  London 273 

A  Belgian  Canary 274 

A   Yorkshire  Canary 274 

A  Flat-Headed  Canary  of  English  Breed 274 

The  Aviaiy  of  the  King  of  England 275 

The  Thrush 276 

The  Green  Finch 276 

The  Winter  Canary 277 

One  Type  of  Canary 277 

The  German  Linnet 277 

The  Blackbird 277 

The  Linnet 278 

The  Dutch  Bullfinch 27S 

The  Spring  Wagtail 279 

The  Lark 280 

The  Goldfinch 2S0 

The  Wavy  Paroquet 281 

Gray  Paroquet,  or  Poll  Parrot 2S1 

The  Green  Paroquet 2S1 

The  Starling 282 

A  Trained  Crow        2S2 

The  Crow  and  the  Rook        2S3 

The  Dragon  Pigeon 2S4 

A  Collection  of  Various  Pigeons    .  • 285 

The  English  Falconet  Pigeon 285 

Young  Pigeons 285 

Common  Domestic  Pigeons        286 

A  Corner  of  the  Garden 2S7 

A  Wild  Pigeon  with  hei"  Young 288 

A  Loft  of  Fancy  Pigeons  .  289 

The  Carrier  Pigeon 289 

Scotch  Pigeons 2S9 

The  Tumbler  Pigeon,  Old  Dutch  Breed 290 

The  Magpie  Pigeon 290 

A  Dovecote  at  a  Proper  Elevation 291 

The  Dwarf  Pouter  Pigeon  of  Amsterdam 292 

The  Almond  Pigeon 292 

Carrier  Pigeons 293 

The  Barb 293 

The  English  Pouter  Pigeon        294 

An  Old  Carrier  Pigeon 294 

GeiTTian  Pigeons 295 

The  English  Falconet  Pigeon 295 

Peacock-Tailed  Pigeons 296 

Baskets,  etc.,  for  Transporting  Carrier  Pigeons    .     .     .   296 


LIST  OF  COLORED  PLATES 

German  Dog Frontispiece 

Pace 

Kittens 73 

Horse 96 

Donkeys 158 

Sheep       164 

Rabbits 252 

Cockatoos 280 


OUR    DOMESTIC    ANIMALS 


INTRODUCTION 


Our  subject  is  inexhaustible.  From  the  boy 
who  believes  that  his  clog  knows  as  much  .i--  hr 
to  the  scientist  who  demonstrates 
to  his  satisfaction  by  laboratory 
experiments  that  animals  are  but 
creatures  of  habit  and  not  of  rea- 
son, all  the  world  is  interested  in 
the  animals  of  the  home.  Their 
presence  seems  to  be  necessary  to 
complete  the  family  circle. 

What  touching  tales  we  read 
of  the  fidelity  of  dogs !  Who  has 
never  amused  himself  by  playing 
with  kittens,  whose  gracious  little- 
ways  are  equal  to  their  graceful- 
ness ?  Who  does  not  remember 
the  anguish  of  heart  when  his  pet 
lamb  of  childhood  was  laid  away  in  the  garden 
grave,  or  when  the  pet  of  any  kind,  whose  last 
flays  had  come,  was  returned  to  the  earth  for 
burial  and  repose  .'' 

These  things  indi- 
cate the  affection  which 
man   has   for  domestic 


animals,  and  the  almost  human  ties  that  fiften 
liiii'l  liiiii  til  the  brute  n-calion. 


The  numerous  photographs  that  illustrate 
Our  Dovicstic  Aniiitals  will  cast  light  on  the 
descriptions  in  the  text,  and  we  have  striven 
to  make  the  style  of  the  volume  agreeable  and, 
abo\e  all,  anecdotical.  It  is  by  stories  and  pic- 
tures that  we  teach  children  the  principal  things 
of  life  ;  it  is  equally  by  stories  and  pictures  that 
we  now  desire  to  create  a  love  for  the 
animals  who  share  our  lot,  and  for  those 
whose  fatal  destiny  it  is  to  feed  us. 

Scientific  men  have  concerned  them- 
selves seriously  (though  relatively  only  of 
late)  with  most  of  the  domestic  animals  in 
a  manner  that  promises  the  speedy  solu- 
tion of  many  problems.  Designers  have 
cleverly,  though  less  seriously,  represented 
these  animals,  while  painters  have  tried 
to  reproduce  them,  as  far  as  brush  and 
palette  would  allow,  —  more  particularly 
horses,  dogs,  and  cats,  — in  all  their  mani- 
fold variety  of  form  and  color.  Sculptors 
and  poets  have  immortalized  them  in  many 
a  masterpiece,  and  they  serve  as  models  of 
desiarn  for  the  various  branches  of  the  arts 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


and  industries.  The  first  toys  we  give  to  chil- 
dren are  miniature  reproductions  of  the  animal 
kingdom ;  the  first  scribblings  of  a  baby  resem- 
ble more  or  less  the  shapes  of  domestic  animals. 

Young  and   old, 
)0or   and   rich, 
earned  and  igno- 
rant, all  take  an 
interest  in    one 
or  another  of 
.  the  animals. 
Mow- 
shall  we 
i  n  c  r  e  a  s  e 


that  interest  ?  How  can  we  give  a  general  idea 
of  the  lives  of  the  chief  domestic  animals  to  those 
who  cannot,  or  will  not,  have  all  the  species  con- 
stantly about  them,  and  yet  desire  to  know  as 
much  as  possible  on  the  subject  without  being 
obliged  to  consult  a  scientific 
library  ?  W'e  believe  we  shall 
attain  this  end,  in  the  first  in- 
stance, by  photography,  which 
alone  can  reproduce  with  i)er- 
fect  accuracy  the  acts  and  mo- 
tions of  animals.  This  work  has 
been  undertaken  on  the  express 
condition  that  the  photographs 
shall  be  taken  from  life,  and  as 
recently  as  possible.  Numerous 
photographers  from  all  parts  of 
Europe  and  America,  some  of 
them  of  great  experience,  have 
well  fulfilled  their  extremely 
difficult  task  (the  reproduction 
of  animals  being  one  of  the 
most  troublesome  problems  of 
their  art),  and  have  sent  us  an  ample  and 
striking  collection  of  portraits  of  animal  life. 

All  that  was  needed,  in  addition,  was  descrip- 
tion —  description  that  should  not  weary,  but 


give  relaxation — and  a  succinct  treatment  of 
topics  which,  from  a  zoological  point  of  view, 
might  have  required  more  attention  and  also 
more  space.  The  origin  of  the  various  species, 
the  study  of  propagation,  the  question  of  the 
play  of  color,  the  numerous  anatomical  subdi- 
visions, are  merely  indicated  in  the  following 
pages.  The  inquiring  reader  may  consult  learned 
books  and  place  them  beside  the  present  vol- 
ume, which  treats  of  the  same  matters  in  an 
absolutely  popular  waw 

The  choice  of  domestic  animals  and  their 
classification  was  not  easy  to  make.  What  to 
us  is  a  domestic  animal  is  generally  so  elsewhere ; 
\et  the  line  is  sometimes  difficult  to  draw.  The 
dog,  the  first  beast  ever  tamed,  has  the  most 
ancient  claims,  if  by  "domestic  animals  "  we  mean 
particularly  those  that  have  been  completely 
tamed.  The  cat  incontestably  holds  its  place  in 
every  household,  where  it  takes  precedence  of 
the  horse  because  of  its  small  size.  After  the 
horse  come  the  ass  and  the  nnile,  closely  re- 
lated, and  then  the  goat.  Sheep  form  the  extreme 
limit  of  the  kingdom  of  domestic  animals,  and 
one  step  more  brings  us  in  the  midst  of — cattle  ! 
And  the  pig  !    Surely  we  must  not  omit  him 


Watching  a  Bird 

Then  come  the  gallinaceous  tribes,  and  with 
them  we  enter  the  inclosures  and  poultry  yards ; 
for,  after  all,  by  "domestic  animals"  we  do 
not  mean  exclusively  those  that  live  within  the 


INTRODUCTION 


walls  of  our  houses.     All  the  quadrupeds  and 

bipeds  that  for  centuries  have  been  in  contact 

with  man.  that  are  grouped  in  friendly  confidence 

around  his  dwelling,  that  live  for  his  use  and 

pleasure,  and  are,  more  or  less,  under  his  direct 

supervision,  being  fed  and  cared  for 

by   him,   are   domestic    animals 

and  those  who  know  true  coun- 

tr\'  life  are  never  surjirised 

to   see    Brown,   the   horse, 

poke  his  head  through  the 

garden  gate,  or  Blanche, 

the  cow,  walk  up  to  the 

kitchen  door  and  eye  the 

meal  that  the  housekeeper 

has   prepared    for    the 

mother  hen  and  her  brood 

That  horse,  that  cow,  those 

chicks,  take  an  active  part  in  the 

external  life  of  the  household.  We 

follow   with    interest   their    good   ana       ~-^^^^^— 

their  evil  fortune  (they  have  both  from  time  to 

time),  and  we  soothe  their  sufferings  as  much 

as  possible. 

And  the  hens !  if  the)-  are  not  domestic 
animals  in  the  true  sense  of  the  term,  we 
invite  the  city  denizen  who  doubts  it  to  go 
without  e,L,'gs.    What  privation  if  there  is  no 


white  of  egg  for  the  sick  baby,  no  fresh-boiled 
egg  for  the  debilitated  old  man  !  Hens  in  the 
poultry  yard  and  eggs  on  the  table,  such  is  the 
true  order  of  things  ;  so  the  poultry  yard,  as 
well  as  the  hens  and  the  cocks,  is  part  of  the 
homestead. 

Besides  these  there  are  many 
birds  living  about  our  dwell- 
ings which,  though  not 
actually  domestic  imder 
all  aspects,  are  neverthe- 
ess  tame.  Swans  and 
ducks,  turkeys  and 
geese,  are  rather  nearer 
to  us  than  pigeons  and 
canaries,  but  they  all 
come  under  the  head  of 
domestic  animals.  The 
anary,  especially  the  one  that 
^  puis  a  little  gayety  into  the  dull 
--'-""  ,,  line  of  the  workingman,  is  a  domes- 
tic animal  we  should  regret  to  be  without ;  also 
those  handsome,  many-colored  birds  in  our 
aviaries  which  herald  the  dawn  with  their 
warblings  and  disperse  our  waking  cares. 

Thus  domestic  animals  deserve  attention. 
We  very  often  see  pretty  traits  in  their  charac- 
ter which,  unfortunatelv,  we  do  not  remember 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


later.  The  photographs  here 
presented  endea\-or  to  recall 
them. 

In  the  following  pages 
there  will  also  be  found 
much  advice  that  may  be 
useful  to  the  breeder  of  each 
particular  race.  It  does  not 
enjoin  more  or  less  precise 
methods,  or  give  special 
rules,  but  simply  gives  counsels 
of  general  utility,  recognized, 
collected,  and  applied  for  many 
years  by  the  most  noted  breed- 
ers with  fortunate  results.  The 
breeding  of  stock  for  profit  or 
pleasure  (but  specially  for  profit 
in  the  care  of  horses,  sheep, 
and  poultry  of  all  kinds)  has 
become  very  extensive  of  late, 
and  the  regions  where  it  is 
chiefly  carried  on  have  derived 
much  benefit   from  it.     The 


raising  of  useful  and  handsome  animal 
stock  has  become  a  science,  which 
now  actually  forms  a  subdivision  in 
zoology.  The  zoologist  could  prob- 
abl_\-  derive  large  profits  from  the 
breeding  of  horses,  dogs,  and  poultry, 
if  closer  relations  could  be  established 
between  the  two  sciences,  and  if  the 
halls  of  study  opened  wider  in  the 
direction  of  stables  and  kennels. 

Zoology  is  the  theor)-  of  practical 
breeding ;  for  without  e.xact  knowl- 
edge of  the  life  of  animals  the 
breeder  will  never  succeed  in  perfect- 
ing certain  qualities.  But  it  is  not 
from  books  that  he  can  learn  the  prac- 
tical working  of  life  or  the  art  of 
giving  it :  he  must,  above  all,  rely  on 
experience. 

The  special  literature  on  these 
topics  is  not  in  all  hands.  He  who 
owns  a  dog  or  a  pony  does  not  fill 
his  library  with  books  on  dogs,  nor 
does  he  put  in  his  stable  a  shelf  of 
bf)nks  treating  of  ponies.  But  there 
ire  manv  things  to  be  told  of  the 
dog  and  the  pony  which  would  in- 
terest that  owner  and  perhaps  give 
him  fresh  ideas  about  them. 
The  history  of  dogs,  like 
that  of  other  domestic  ani- 
mals, is  of  very  ancient  date, 
and  is  closely  related,  in  fact 
is  even  parallel,   to  that   of 


1 

w 

^^M 

^^^m 

n 

W~^  *"  fl^^H^ ^^^li^Ua^^l 

,*F^ 

IK- 

^ 

',■-??" jji 

i 

L«>  -    - 

-•V-v-t-     .    >  ^  .  V 

INTRODUCTION 


man.  Their  structure,  their  characteristics, 
their  peculiarities,  give  rise  to  very  remarkable 
comparisons.  Numberless  are  the  traditions, 
the  anecdotes,  and  the  facts  which  show  to  what 
extraordinary  development  the  intelligence  or 
instinct  of  these  animals  can  attain,  whether 
spontaneously,  or  by  exercise  or  experience. 

How  is  it  possible  not  to 
wonder  on  seeing  a  hunting 
dog  stop  short  in  the  open 
country,  motionless  as  a 
statue,  seeing  nothing  around 
him  for  yards  till  the  par- 
tridges take  wing,  giving  proof 
of  thejiairoi  the  animal ! 

Horses  and  some  other 
species  of  domestic  animals 
have  also  given  almost  incred- 
ible proofs  of  intelligence, 
attachment,  courage,  and  cau- 
tion, which  can  only  increase 
the  regard  they  inspire  in  us. 

All  this,  no  doubt,  increases 
the  desire  to  know  more  of  the 
life  of  animals,  and  this  desire 
we  shall  try  to  satisfy  in  the 
course  of  this  work. 

We  have  given  our  atten- 
tion, in  certain  places,  to  the 
manner  in  which  sick  or 
wounded  animals  should  be 
cared  for.   In  ci\'ilized  society. 


a  society  of  progress,  all  negligence 
of  the  comfort  and  well-being  of  ani- 
mals is  a  step  backward  in  the  path 
of  civilization.  In  such  a  society, 
surely,  we  ought  to  find  asylums  for 
animals,  and  the  art  of  animal  heal- 
ing should  obtain  universal  sympathy. 
Nor  should  we  fail  to  speak  of  the 
protection  due  to  animals  from  the 
point  of  view  of  humanity  as  well  as 
of  usefulness.  It  is  proper  here  to 
insist  once  again  upon  the  fact  that 
ever)'  one  can  contribute  in  a  vast 
degree  —  if  he  will  —  to  diminish  the 
unnecessary  sufferings  endured  daily 
by  cats, dogs, and  horses;  for  instance, 
many  children,  whose  education  has  been  sadly 
neglected,  make  martyrs  of  cats  and  dogs. 

If,  therefore,  this  work  can  attain  its  object, 
it  will  not  only  afford  a  few  hours'  amusement 
to  the  reader,  but  it  will  benefit  more  than  one  of 
those  intelligent  creatures  who,  during  our  own 
lives,  have  lived  with  us  as  faithful  companions. 


THE   DOG 


I.  Bond  of  Friendship  between  Man 
AND  Dog 

Buffon  said  and  wrote,  "  The  dog  is  the 
friend  of  man."  Though  the  works  of  that 
writer,  very  learned  in  his  time,  no  longer  fill 
the  prominent  shelves  of  our  scientific  libraries, 
the  vvords  just  quoted  are  to  this  day  con- 
firmed and  established  by  reiterated  proofs. 

How  was  this  junction  between  the  man 
and  the  animal  brought  about,  and  why  have 
dogs,  from  the  earliest  antiquit}',  so  sepa- 
rated themselves  from  other  animals 
that  they  have  been  in  favor 
with  the  "  most  civilized 
creature  of  the  earth,"  even 
when  the  civilization  of  that 
sovereign  of  creation  still  left 
something,  or  to  be  more 
frank,  still  left  much  to  be 
desired  ? 

If  we  knew  with  certainty 
whence  the  domestic  dog 
{ca/n's  faniiliaris,  the  learned 
call  him)  is  descended,  it 
would  be  easier  to  answer 
the  above  questions.  But  we 
cannot  as  yet  point  with  ab- 
solute certaint)"  to  the  animal 
species  with  which  man's 
amicable  ties  were  formed. 
Perhaps  it  was  a  species  of 
wild  dog  now  extinct ;  perhaps  wolves  and 
jackals  had  their  share  in  the  matter. 

Men  of  science  in  the  olden  time  took  \-ery 
little  interest  in  knowing  whence  our  useful 
domestic  animals  had  descended.  Though 
most  of  them  were  not  disposed  to  consider 
Noah's  ark  as  the  cradle  of  all  the  species, 
they  did  not  delve  much  deeper  into  this  inter- 
esting problem.  We  may  even  say  that  the 
study  of  the   races   of  the   domestic   animals 


The  Friend  of  Man 


extends  back,  at  the  most,  half  a  century.  It 
is  true  that  men  like  Belon  (1554),  Kampfer 
(1712),  Guldenstadt  (1776),  and  Pallas  (1776), 
as  well  as  Ehrenberg,  Reichenbach,  and  others, 
tried  to  throw  some  light  upon  the  question, 
which,  however,  was  not  cleared  up  until  1884. 
About  that  year  very  interesting  excavations 
were  made  of  prehistoric  lake  cities  in  Switzer- 
land, which  brought  to  light  remains  of  animals, 
chiefly  dogs,  older  than  any  hitherto  known 
and   recognized. 

Then,  and  especially  after  the  pub- 
lication of  the  masterpieces  of 
Darwin  on  "domestic  ani- 
mals and  plants,"  scientific 
men,  like  Yeiteless,  Ruti- 
meyer,  and  Naumann,  con- 
cerned themselves  seriously 
about  the  unknown  ancestors 
of  the  domestic  dog.  Alas  ! 
those  ancestors  had  left  no 
other  inheritance  than  a  few 
bones  and  broken  skulls  ;  but 
these  remains,  such  as  they 
were,  were  minutely  exam- 
ined. The  Austrian  profes- 
sor, L.  H.  Yeiteless,  was  so 
enthusiastic  in  his  work  along 
this  line  that  he  even  dedi- 
cated one  of  the  skulls,  found 
near  Olmiitz,  to  the  memory 
who    had    died    in    1869,  — 


of    his    mother 

"skull  of  canis  tnatiis  optimac!' 

Nevertheless,  in  spite  of  minute  researches, 
no  certainty  has  yet  been  attained  as  to  the 
origin  of  the  domestic  dog.  We  can  still  make 
only  suppositions,  and  these  attribute  the  pater- 
nity of  the  race,  in  the  first  instance,  to  the 
jackal  and  a  species  of  Indian  wolf.  We  can- 
not therefore  know  with  certainty  what  animal 
species  it  was  that,  in  its  primitive  state,  first 


THE    DOG 


felt  itself  attracted  to  man  ;  but  it  is  cer- 
tain that  individual  self-interest,  both  in 
man  and  beast,  played  a  chief  part  in  that 
treaty  of  friendship.  The  fires  where  they 
could  warm  themselves,  the  mounds  <if 
slaughtered  game,  must  have  brought  the 
wild  dogs,  or  the  canine  animals,  near  to 
man  ;  while  the  bones  of  dogs  found  in  the 
oldest  human  caves  of  the  Stone  Age  prove 
that  man  sought  and  attracted  the  dog  — 
to  feed  upon  him. 

Therefore  it  seems  that  there  was  self- 
interest  on  both  sides.    But  this  selfishness 
was  destined  to  have  fortunate  results,  for 
interests  in  common  soon  bear  fruit.    In  the 
first  place,  the  supreme  question  for  both 
was  how  to  procure  food  ;   ne.xt,  how  to  be 
able  to  defend  themselves  in  their  painful 
struggle  for  existence.    These  two  natural 
necessities  made  closer  contact  desirable, 
and  primitive  man  was  intelligent  enough 
to  see  in  the  dog  a  skillful  hunter  and  a 
brave    defender.     The   dog,    on    his    side, 
must  have  found  great  advantages  in  the 
neighborhood  of  man.    Through  the  thick  veil 
that  covers  the  primitive  epoch  of  our  planet 
we  early  see  the  dog  and   man  forming  com- 
panionship, while  the  other  animals, 
domesticated   later,   keep  them- 
selves at  a    distance,  fierce 
and   distrustful. 

II.  Appreci.\tion 

THROUGH    THE    AgES 

Dogs    have    always 
been  held  in  great 
esteem,  especially  in 
Europe    and   America. 
It  is  true  that  in  ci\'ilized 
countries  men  no  longer 
shave   their  heads  on   the 
death  of  a  favorite  doc;,  as 


was    the    ancient    custom    in 

Egyptian  families,  but  admiration 

is    never   lacking.     Xenophon  called   ^  i'le\s\nt  .Meeti 

the  dog  an  "  invention  of  the  gods."  greater  vigilance.    In  the  Low  Coun- 

Among    the   Greeks,  his  compatriots,  hunting      tries,  later,  rigorous  severity  was  shown  against 

was  an  art  practiced  with  the  greatest  precision,      heedless  or  criminal  dogs.    It  was  thus  that  the 


Ready  for  .\  Se.x  B.^th 

and  their  poets  praised  to  the  skies  the  excel- 
lent qualities  of  hunting  dogs.  Homer,  father 
of  Greek  poesy,  devotes  many  lines  to  those 
animals.  Mythology  represents  them 
IS  powerful  and  miraculous.  The 
Romans  employed  them  as 
fighters  in  the  arena,  and 
to  a  lesser  degree  in  the 
chase  ;  but  by  the  great 
quantity  of  dog  flesh 
which  they  offered  in 
sacrifice  to  the  gods, 
we  see  in  what  high 
esteem  they  held  the 
animal.  The  Romans, 
moreover,  gave  dogs  a 
good,  though  severe,  edu- 
cation ;  and  once  a  year  they 
whipped  them  all  soundly  be- 
cause they  did  not  bark  at  the  attack 
j^.g  on  the  Capitol,  when  the  geese  showed 


8 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Sicilian  Coin 


dog  Provetie,  belonging  to  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Soor  (1745).  and  was 
Jans  van  der  Poel,  was  con-  only  restored  to  her  master  after  long  and 
demned  by  the  aldermen  of  ceremonious  negotiation.  James  II  of  England 
the  city  of  Leyden  to  be  cried  out  to  his  sailors,  when  the  ship  in  which 
hanged  by  the  public  execu-  he  sailed  was  in  sore  peril,  "  Save  my  dogs  and 
tioner  in  the  market  place,  Marlborough!"  In  our  day  Queen  Victoria 
where  it  was  customary  to  was  the  greatest  lover  of  pure-blooded  dogs, 
punish  criminals.     His  pos-      a  fondness  for  which  she  inherited  from  her 

sessions  were  confiscated  with  all  the  solemnity      mother,  the  Duchess  of  Kent,  who  throughout 

befitting  such  punishment.    After  this  event  the      her  life  took  the  utmost  care  of  her  kennels. 

inhabitants  of  Leyden  were 

long  nicknamed  "hangers  of 

dogs."     Little  did  they  think 

that  in  1574,  during  the  siege 

of  their  city,  they  would  learn 

by   sad    experience    that    it 

was  better  to  eat  dogs  than 

to  hang  them. 

The    predilection   that 

princes    and    celebrated    per- 
sons   have    shown    for    these 

animals  proves  the  esteem  in 

which  they  were  held.    Henri 

II  now  and  then  wore  round 

his    neck    a  basket   in  which 

were    young    puppies,    so 

Sully  relates  in  his  memoirs. 

Frederick   the  Great   allowed 

his   greyhounds   the    utmost 

libertv,  both  indoors  and  out, 

at  his  chateau  of  Sans   Souci 


Are  thev  speaking  to  Each  Other  ? 


One  of  these 
famous     hounds,     named     Biche,     was    taken 


Teeth 


We  should  know  better  what  Richard  Wag- 
ner thought  of  these  animals  if  he  had  lived  to 
finish  his  book,  History  of  viy  Dogs.  It  is  well 
known  that  the  master  of  Bayreuth  loved  dogs 
and  owned  several  highly  bred  species,  among 
them  Newfoundlands  and  St.  Bernards.  A 
friend  of  his  relates  that  he  one  day  compelled 
a  street  urchin  to  sell  him,  for  a  thaler,  an  old 
half-blind  dog  which  the  boy  was  about  to  drown. 
The  dog  bit  his  rescuer,  but  Wagner,  instead  of 
punishing  him,  found  him  an  asylum.  Dickens, 
in  his  account  of  My  Father  as  I  Recall  Htm, 
describes  with  much  sympathy  and  affection  the 
dogs  in  the  paternal  home.  Zola's  pets,  espe- 
cially Pin,  must  often  have  consoled  him  in  the 
da\s  of  his  painful  struggle.  Pin's  full  name  was 
The  Chevalier  Hector  Pin-Pin  de  Coq-Hardi, 
but  Zola  called  him  friend  and  comrade. 


THE   DOG 


These  are  only  a  few  specimens  taken  at 
random  from  the  rich  collection  of  evidences 
of  affection  given  to  dogs  by  intelligent  men. 
Let  us  now  examine  into  the  actual  lives  of 
our  dogs  and  see  their  numerous  useful  deeds. 


Teeth  at  the  End  of  Two  Ye.ars 

While  so  doing  we  shall  give  some  advice  on 
the  best  methods  of  bringing  up,  caring  for, 
and  utilizing  these  intelligent  animals ;  pho- 
tography will  do  the  rest. 

III.  The  Dog  Internally  and  Externally 

If  we  sent  postpaid  to  our  readers  247  little 
bones,  asking  them  to  construct  therefrom  a 
perfect  specimen  of  the  domestic  dog,  we 
doubt  whether  man)'  of  them  would  be  pleased 
with  the  gift.  We  therefore  refrain  from 
sending  it,  and  consequently  have  no  need  to 
add  to  the  247  bones  42  teeth  and  a  few 
ear  cartilages  that  go  with  them.  Yet  those 
forty-two  teeth  desei"ve  an  attentive  examina- 
tion. As  long  as  they  remain  in  the  animal's 
mouth  they  serve,  as  with  horses,  to  determine 
his  age.  It  is  useful  to  know  that  a  normal 
dog  ought  to  have  twelve  incisors,  four  molars, 
and  twenty-six  large  teeth.  The  first,  or  milk 
teeth,  appear  from  four  to  six  weeks  after 
birth,  and  give  place  to  the  incisors  from  four 


precautions,  we  open  the  jaws  of  a  dog  and 
behold  a  number  of  pretty  little  white  lilies 
at  the  end  of  the  crown  of  the  incisors,  we 
know  the  dog  is  still  young,  that  is,  under  a 
year  old.  From  the  first  to  the  second  year 
these  teeth  become  more  or  less  worn,  and 
when  the  animal  is  in  his  third  year  they  are 
completely  worn  out,  especially  those  in  the 
lower  jaw.  A  dog  must  be  more  than  four  years 
old  before  the  eyeteeth  and  the  teeth  below 
them  become  visibly  worn  ;  and  this  indication 
grows  more  and  more  distinct  with  age.  After 
the  seventh  year  the  teeth  are  completely  worn 
down,  and  drop  out  here  and  there.  In  making 
an  examination  we  must  not  forget  that  food, 
according  as  it  is  hard  or  soft,  has  a  great 
influence  on  the  condition  of  the  teeth. 

Teeth  excepted,  the  other  parts  of  a  dog's 
skeleton,  and  the  nobler  parts  which  it  incloses, 
—  such  as  the  lungs,  the  heart,  etc.,  —  do  not 
require  us  to  make  a  long  examination,  unless, 
indeed,  we  wear  the  spectacles  of  a  zoologist. 
The  muscles  and  the  sinews  that  form  the  flesh 
and  join  the  articulations  are  of  great  impor- 
tance to  the  breeder,  because  they  are  in  close 


Teeth  Worx  .and  Bi.cnted  in  .an  Old  Dog 


relation  with  the  exterior  forms,  and  especially 
with  the  ability  of  certain  species  of  dogs  to 
to  six  months  later.  The  large  teeth  appear  in  perform  the  work  for  which  they  are  intended, 
the  third  or  fourth  week,  and  drop  out  at  the  We  shall  have  to  speak  later  of  the  position 
end  of  fi\'e  months.     If,  therefore,  taking  due      of  the   lungs   in   a   broad   high  chest,  or  in   a 


lO 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


narrow,  deep  one ;  but  we  pass  now  to  an 
exterior  description  of  the  animal. 

F'irst  in  line  come  the  skin,  the  hair,  the 
color,  and   the  physical  conformation. 

The  skin  of  dogs  which  have  not  been  over- 


or  "part,"  along  the  back  and  on  the  legs. 
Thus  Mother  Nature  herself  takes  care  of  their 
toilet.  Yet  it  is  curious  to  observe  how  she 
allows  the  hair  on  the  chest,  the  belly,  and 
under   the   neck    to   get    tangled.     The    joints 


and  solid.'  In  many  it  is 
supple,  especially  about 
the  neck  and  head.  All 
dogs  have  upon  the 
head,  near  the  jaw  and 
above  the  eyes,  seven 
little  round  protuber- 
ances from  which  spring 
several  sensitive  hairs, 
which  have  their  nerves 
and  roots  in  those  pro- 
tuberances. In  healthy 
dogs  that  are  properly 
cared   for   the    skin    is 

odorless,  but  at  the  least  negligence  or  the 
least  illness  a  very  disagreeable  efflu\ium  is 
given  forth. 

The  hair  of  dogs  protects  them  from  atmos- 
pheric  influences,   and  also,  in    certain   cases, 


EX.\MPLE    OF    THE    ELASTIC    SKIN    OF    THE    NECK 


petted  or  too  delicately  reared  is  rather  thick      form  the  boundaries  between  these  patches  of 

hair  that  are  so  different 
in  direction.  The  longer 
the  hair  the  more  erect  it 
is  on  the  joints;  hence 
those  curious  tufts  that 
we  find  behind  the 
paws  of  certain  breeds. 
These  tufts  are  called 
"  feathers  "  ;  we  find 
them  on  the  tails  of  set- 
ters, and  wherever  a 
variation  in  the  direction 
of  the  growth  of  the  hair 
exists.  In  dogs  with 
rough  or  wiry  hair  it  does  not  lie  in  the  normal 
direction,  but  grows  erect  in  every  direction, 
in  a  confused  mass. 

The  different  kinds  of  hair  play  a  great  part 
at  bench  shows,   as  we  shall  see  later.    Two 
from    injury  to   the    skin.    Though   dogs  give      kinds   are    specially   distinguished    from    each 
much   less    time  to   their   toilet   than   parrots      other,  —  the  long-haired  and  the  short-haired, 

—  in  both  of  which  come  a  legion  of 
varieties,  such  as  glossy,  rough,  bristling, 
curly,  wavy,  woolly,  silky,  frizzled,  etc. 
These  nomenclatures  describe  themselves. 
The  Pomeranians  have  long  hair,  while 
the  German  watchdog  has  it  short  and 
glossy,  the  griffons  bristling,  retrievers 
curly,  Russian  wolfhounds  wavy,  English 
sheep  dogs  woolly,  some  poodles  frizzled, 
and  certain  Maltese  dogs,  also  Yorkshire 
terriers,  silky. 

The  color  of  dogs,  or,  properly  speaking, 
of  their  coats,  plays  a  great  part  in  the 
valuation  of  breeds,  and  also,  unfortunately, 
in  the  estimation  of  fashion.  Which  is  the 
finest  color  .?  Put  it  to  public  vote  and  the  result 
would  have  only  a  passing  value.  The  idea  of 
beauty  changes  with  each  epoch,  and  the  choice 
the  flanks  it  lies  with  regularity  from  the  front  between  the  black,  red-brown,  uniform  brown 
towards  the  hind  quarters,  and  in  certain  long-  or  striped,  yellow,  gray,  or  white  of  our  dogs 
haired  dogs  we  can  distinguish  a  dividing  line,      depends  on  circumstances  and  on  the  purpose 


Example  of  "Feather"  on  the  Tail 

or  cats,  there  is  really  no  ground  of  complaint 
against  them  on  this  score.  Their  hair  falls 
naturally  into  place  ;  upon  the  back  and  aloni; 


Wavv   Haik 


Curly  Hair  (Rf.trievkr) 


tnxc,  Hair  (Pomeraxian') 


Extra  Lon(;  Haik  (I'oodi.il) 


^^H 

^^B 

^^■mHh[>> 

^H 

Kin 

fl 

^^^,  1^ 

^nm 

Rir    — -'f|[ 

WiiuLiA-  Hair  (English  Shlli-  Doc) 


SiLKV   Hair  (Vui:!.   iiiki.    Ilkkii.i.j 


12 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


for  which  they  are 
chosen.  For  dogs 
of  mere  fancy,  — 
for  pets,  —  the 
color  and  especially 
the  markings  about 
the  ears,  the  head, 
and  the  back 
should  be  as  decn- 
rative  as  possible, 
while  hunting  dogs 
should  be  of  a  color 
easily  distinguish- 
able at  a  great  dis- 
tance in  the  hunting 
field.  Hounds,  on 
the  contrary,  ought 
not  to  show  against 
the  bushes  or  fields 
when  at  work.  A 
beagle,  w  h  i  c  h 
creeps  among  the 
fox  burrows,  woukl 
be  useless  if  he  were  white  and  could  thus  show 
the  fox  where  his  enemy  lay. 

We  frequently  find  local  disappearances  of 
the  color  of  the  hair,  very  noticeable  in  spotted 
German  watchdogs  and  in  Dalmatian  or  tiger 
dogs.  A  very  remarkable  phenomenon  is  the 
striking  tendency  in  dogs  —  as  in  other  animals 


Undkr  Arrest 


—  to  a  complete  obliteration  of  color  (albino- 
ism)  ;  this  is  accompanied  by  the  appearance  of 
red  eyes  and  a  very  injurious  blunting  of  certain 
organs,  or  else  by  a  delay  in  their  development. 
The  conformation  of  the  dog  presents  as 
great  a  variety  as  his  coat  and  his  color.     Here 


Frolicking 


Ri:sT  .\Nii   I'l.w 

again  we  must  never  lose  sight  of  the  purposes 
for  which  the  different  species  are  employed. 
It  is  important,  therefore,  to  have  seen  dogs 
at  their  work  and  in  their  element.  Then, 
and  then  only,  does  the  e.xternal  beauty  of 
eath   breed   show  itself  fully. 

IV.  Gen'er.xl  Ch.ar.\cteristics  ;   Special 

H.XBITS 

It  is  quite  possible  that  dogs  now  and  then 
•malign  one  another  v.-hen  alone  by  themselves, 
but  as  long  as  their  language  is  incompre- 
hensible to  us  we  have  only  good  things  to 
say  of  their  chief  characteristics. 

Their  fidelity  is  proverbial.  Hundreds  of 
instances  could  be  given  in  which  dogs  will 
not  quit  the  dead  bodies  of  their  masters,  but 
seek  —  positively  jcc/-  —  death  upon  their 
graves.  As  for  their  vigilance  we  could  cite 
not  hundreds,  but  thousands  of  cases  in  which 


THE    DOG 


13 


they  have  prevented  great  evils,  and  many  more 
will  remain  forever  unknown. 

On  January  27,  1897,  the  little  daughter  of 
a  shepherd,  in  the  province  of  the  Loire,  was 
sitting  at  the  edge  of  a  forest  when  a  wild 
boar  rushed  out  in  front  of  her.  She  tried 
to  run  away,  but  fell ;  the  animal  wounded 
her  in  the  back  and  was  about  to  strike 
again,  but  as  she  fell  she  called  to  the  dog 
which  was  not  far  off  :  "  Help  !  help  !  Bas 
Rouge  !  "  The  brave  dog,  understanding 
the  danger,  sprang  upon  the  boar,  which 
was  far  stronger  than  himself,  and  caught 
his  ear,  not  letting  it  go  till  the  child  had 
time  to  get  up  and  run  away  ;  he  then  aban- 
doned the  unequal  contest,  and  the  boar, 
severely  bitten,  took  to  the  woods. 

Every  one  knows  how  the  little  dog  of 
Prince  William  I  of  Orange  saved  his  mas- 
ter from  an  attempt  on  his  life  by  bark- 
ing, in  order  to  wake  him,  the  memory 
of  which  act  is  immortalized  in  the  statue 
of  William  the   Silent  at  The   Hague. 

Another  of  the  dog's  good  qualities  is 
that  he  forgets  very  quickly  any  wrong  that  has 
been  done  him  —  if  the  doer  is  a  friend.  If, 
■on  the  contrary,  he  is  an  enemy,  he  is  never 
safe  in  the  vicinity  of  the  animal  he  has  preju- 
diced against  him.  Dogs  never  fail  to  recognize 
their  friends.  Is  it  by  sight,  smell, 
hearing,  or  some  intuitive  per- 
ception of  good  will .'  It  is 
probably  not  by  the  first  of 
those  senses,  for  a  do; 
seems  not  to  see  thing 
very  clearly  when  close 
at  hand,  at  least  not 
in  comparison  with 
man.  On  the  other 
hand,  he  sees  things 
at  a  distance  easily 
and  more  accurately, 
thanks  to  the  more  or 
less   oblique    position 

of  his  eyes.  But  in  any  case  he  trusts  his  ears 
more  than  his  eyes.  Young  dogs,  especially, 
guide  themselves  by  sound  rather  than  by 
sight,  for  they  are  almost  blind   till  they  are 


twenty-five  days  old.  Yet  a  dog  will  see  better 
than  a  man  in  a  dim  light,  and  this  acuteness 
of  vision  is  owing  to  the  peculiar  construction 
of  his  visual  organs,  a  construction  that  equally 


A.sTONISllMEXT 

explains  the  luminous  brilliancy  of  his  eyes  in 
the  dark. 

The  nose  of  a  dog  far  surpasses  that  of  man 
in  capacity,  without  referring  to  the  difference 
in  shape,  though  that  does  undeniably  exercise 
some  influence  on  the  scent.  It  is  not  necessary 
that  the  noses  of  all  dogs  should  be  moist  to 
keep  them  in  good  health,  but  those  with  wet 
noses  are  much  more 
ikely  to  be  healthy, 
and  vice  versa.  We 
shall  have  occasion 
later  to  speak  of  the 
miraculous,  scent  of 
b  1  < )  o  d  h  o  u  n  d  s  an  d 
of  hunting  dogs,  for 
it  is  miraculous, 
though  belonging  to 
modern  times. 

It  is  generally  ad- 
mitted that  the  hearing  of  dogs  does  not  greatly 
differ  from  that  of  man.  His  musical  knowledge 
and  his  taste  for  music  alone  leave  something 
to  be  desired.     This   explains  his   manner  of 


H 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


greeting  with  lamentable  howls  a  street  organ, 
the  good  or  bad  playing  of  a  piano,  the  vulgar 
or  the  artistic  twanging  of  a  violin,  or  the  soft, 
sweet  singing  of  a  lute.  People  call  it  howling. 
A  dog  neither  laughs  nor  weeps.     Is   he   sad, 


The  bite  of  an  angry  dog  is  to  be  feared. 
His  teeth  are  shown  as  far  as  possible,  his  lips 
and  ears  are  drawn  back,  and  his  hair  bristles 
up  along  his  spine.  The  meeting  of  two  dogs, 
strangers  to  each  other  or  distrustful,  is  nearly 


he   puts  his   tail   between   his   legs,   hangs  his      always  accompanied  by  these  phen(jmena. 

V.  The  Pkinxip.vl  F.amilies 
OF   DcxiS 

It  has  always  been,  and  still 
is,  a  brain  puzzle  to  class  cor- 
rectly the  innumerable  canine 
races.  Aristotle  (333  B.C.) 
began  to  do  so,  and  the  end 
is  not  yet  in  sight.  Hunting 
(.logs,  pet  dogs,  useful  dogs 
great  and  small,  street  dogs, 
watchdogs,  have  served  as 
the  main  groups.  Cuvier  de- 
sired to  introduce  a  new 
classification  of  the  canine 
races  according  to  the  length 
of  their  skulls.  Linnaeus  gave 
only  a  passing  attention  to 
them,  and  Fitzinger  estimated 
head,  and  emits  a  plaintive  howl.  Is  he  joyful,  that  three  hundred  species  were  altogether  too 
his  behavior  is  just  the  contrary  :  the  expressive  few.  Suppose  we  try,  in  our  turn,  to  make  no 
thermometer  of  his  soul  rises,  quivers,  wags,  classification  at  all.  Open  the  iron  gates  wide 
and  a  joyous  bark,  quite  different  from  all  other  and  let  them  all  come  in  pellmell  —  dogs  with 
barks,  sharper  and  shorter,  is  heard.  When  short  hair,  long  hair,  wiry  hair,  and  smooth  hair, 
certain  dogs  are  in  particularly  good  humor  little  dogs  and  great  dogs,  sporting  dogs,  hunting 
they  show  their  teeth  from  time  to  time  and  dogs,  watchdogs,  and  let  one  and  all  show  what 
clack  them,  protruding  their  li}is 
and  a  sort  of  grimace  spreads 


Tdd   H(^T   IX   F 


C(iLI)    lil  HIM) 


over  their  visage.     They 
also  express  joy  by  leaps, 
rolling    on    the  ground,    / 
and   all    sorts    of   comic 
contortions  ;    and,   what 
is    very   remarkable,    the 
.same   expressive    motions   arc- 
seen  in  wolves  and  jackals.    The 
licking   of    their    master's    hand 
must  be  regarded  as  derived  from  the  habit  of 


SCRUTIXY 


they  are  and  what  they  can  do. 
Fox  terriers.    It  w'ould  be 
marvelous   if   the  agile, 
\     combative  fox  terrier  did 
j    not  come  first.     He  is  a 
/  joyous  animal,  who  is  no 
longer   exclusively   em- 
'-     ployed  in  fox  hunting  or  in 
starting  game   (foxes  and 
badgers).     He    has   become   the 
fashionable    pleasure    dog,    and 
such  he   remains,  due,  doubtless,   to  his   neat 


licking  objects  that  are  dear  to  them  —  their  figure,  his  lively  air,  and  his  amusing  nature, 

young,   for   instance.      Hence   comes   also  the  Belonging  to  the  great  family  of  terriers  (known 

habit   of    some    dogs   and    their   congeners   of  in  England  in  16 17,  during  the  reign  of  James  I, 

biting  one  another  in  play.  as  earth  dogs,  terriers),  he  is  really  much  less 


THE   DOG 


15 


Modern  Types  of  Fox  Ti;kkii:ks,  Smooth  Haired  and  W'ikv  Haired 


suited  in  form  to  subterranean  work  than  the 
bassets,  for  instance.  Consequently  the  fox 
terrier  now  contents  himself  with  rats  and 
mice,  which  he  attacks  furiously,  to  the  de- 
light of  amateur  sportsmen.  The  breeding  of 
these  terriers  with  smooth  hair  and  wiry  hair 
has  been  carried  on  extensively,  espe 
cially  in  England,  and  fabulous 
sums  are  given  for  the  best 
specimens,  which  often 
win  first  prizes  and  are 
exported  from  time  to 
time  to  European 
countries  or  to 
America,  where  they 
become  the  founders 
of  new  families.  F'or 
such  competitive  ani- 
mals special  account 
must  be  taken  of  the 
bones,  and  of  the  sym 
metry  of  the  body,  the  head, 
and  the  paws,  though  even  here 
there  is  great  difference  of  tasle 
The  prize-winning  fox  terrier  of 
to-day  differs  in  essential  points 
from  the  one  of  five  or  six  years  ago.  The  nose 
must  be  decidedly  black,  but  less  importance 
is  now  attached  to  the  distribution  of  white, 
which  is,  of  course,  the  dominant  color,  and  to 
the  black,  which  may  now  form  spots  around 
the  eyes,  on  the  ears,  the  tail,  and  along  the 
back.    A  fox  terrier  must  be  neither  brown  nor 


Bulldog,  Pure  Blood 


striped,  and  the  ears  should  be  small  and  bent 
forward  along  the  cheeks  in  the  form  of  a  V. 

The  Mastiff.  More  persons  than  one  will 
think  that  the  mastiff  is  not  made  for  a  pleas- 
ure dog,  thanks  to  his  great  height,  his  thick, 
big  head,  his  enormous  muzzle,  and  more  es- 
pecially to  the  sinister  expression 
given  by  wrinkles  around  and 
between  the  eyes.  Yet  these 
dogs  are  usually  mild  and 
placid,  t  h  o  u  g  h  \-  e  r  y 
strong  and  very  brave 
on  occasion,  which 
trails  make  them  well 
suited  to  serve  as  ter- 
rors. Idstone  relates 
that  a  mastiff  allowed 
to  roam  at  night 
around  a  country  house 
did  no  harm  to  tramps 
r  thieves  so  long  as  they 
stayed  outside  the  fences ; 
ut  he  watched  them,  walking 
continually  round  them,  so  that  the 
poor  fellows  ended  by  standing  in 
the  same  place  till  daylight,  not 
daring  to  stir.  The  patent  of  nobility  for 
mastiffs  will  be  found  in  England,  where  they 
were  bred,  it  is  said,  in  the  fifteenth  century 
by  the  family  of  Leigh  of  Lyme  Hall.  When 
bear  hunting  came  to  an  end  in  England  (for 
want  of  bears)  bear  gardens  were  invented, 
where  sportsmen  amused  themselves  by  seeing 


ID 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


English  Masti 

combats  between  mastiffs  and 
bears  or  bulls.    These  aren:i 
contests    were    probabl) 
fought  by  a  cross  breed 
of    mastiffs  and    Irish 
wolfhounds  ;  very  cer- 
tainly  they   did    not 
resemble  the  modern 
mastiff.      The    latter 
now    stands    fro  m 
twenty-five  to  twenty 
eight  inches  high  from 
ground  to  shoulder,  and 
has  a  weight  of  one  hundred 
to  two  hundred  pounds.    The 
muzzle  and  ears  are  black,  and  the 
dog  himself  is  the  color  of  a  roe- 
buck  or  deer.    Sometimes,  also. 


the  whole  body  is  of  a  much  darker 
shade. 

TIic  bulldog.    The  bulldog,  smaller 
than  the  mastiff,  is  related  to  him  and 
to   his   combative   ancestors.    These 
dogs   seem   much  more   furious   than 
they  really  are.   To  what  caprices  have 
they  not  been  subjected  in  view  of  ex- 
hibitions !    At  one  time  breeders  even 
went  so  far  that  little  was  wanting  to 
make  their  bodies  and  paws  so  eccen- 
tric  in  form   that   they  could   hardly 
drag  themselves  about.     Happily,  in 
the  present  day,  this  danger  is  averted, 
to  the  great  joy  of  all  true  sportsmen, 
and  the  bulldog  now  stands  on  his  own 
four  paws.     It  is  doubtful,  however, 
whether  the  prize  winners  of  to-day 
would    issue    triumphantly  from    the 
arena  after  such  bullfights  as   those 
in   which    the    seventeenth-century 
mastiffs  took  such  a  prominent  part. 
Henri  II,  Queen  Mary,  and  Princess 
Elizabeth   of    England  encouraged 
those  combats,  but  in    1689  we  find 
them   forbidden  at  Amsterdam,  dogs 
trained  for  such  fights    being   called 
"bear  biters,"  a  name  still  to  be  heard 
on  the  banks  of  the  Amstel.    The  bull- 
dog should  be  small,  massive,  and 
rather  thickset,  especially 
about  the  head  ;  the  muzzle 
should  be  thrust  forward 
and  raised  impudently, 
the    under   jaw   ad- 
vanced   beyond   the 
upper,  the  lips  hang- 
ing  heavily   on   each 
side  of  the  chops,  the 
nose    broad,    and    the 
teeth  large  and  often 
visible,  —  all  of    which 
contribute  to  his  ungra- 
cious   appearance.     The 
color    is    rather    \'ariable.    A 
bulldog    may    be    brindled    with 
Champion  Bulldog  black,  or  may  be  all  white,  spotted 

PhotoJ.  T.Newman,  lierkhampstead      with    white,     rcd-broWn,    tawny 


THE   DOG 


17 


i^^ 


yellow,  or  tawny  red,  but 
never  all  black.  Each  color 
should  be  clearly  defined 
and   distinct. 

T/ie  black  and  tan  tcrrici' 
and  his  zvJiite  colleague.  This 
race  brings  us  back  to  the 
land  of  the  terrier.  They 
are  small,  refined,  black  and 
brown  animals,  which,  by 
their  slim  bodies,  resemble 
greyhounds  and  harriers. 
They  have  lost  their  terrier 
instincts,  and  their  talents 
are  more  admired  in  a 
drawing-room  than  out  of 
doors.  Careful  breeding  has  transformed 
this  race,  which  is  of  very  ancient  English 
origin,  into  a  neat  and  elegant  pet  dog. 
They  are  often  called  Manchester  terriers. 
The  cut  of  the  ears  is  of  great  importance 
in  all  of  these  dogs  that  are  exhibited,  and 
they  are  thus  dependent  on  fashion.  The 
brown  or  tan  color  should  be  visible  on  the 
jaws,  under  the  throat,  above  the  eyes,  on 
the  cheeks,  on  the  inside  of  the  hind  paws, 
under  the  tail,  and  on  the  front  paws  up 
to  the  first  joint.  The  legs  should  be 
black.  There  is,  as  we  perceive,  a  whole 
series  of  colors,  but  the  dog  himself  takes 
his  name  from  his  particular  colors.  The 
English  terrier  is  all  white,  and  was  pro- 
duced by  numberless  crossings  of  the  black 
and  tan  terriers  with  small  hounds. 


Si'OTTKi)  Bllldik; 
rhotii  J.  T.  Newman,  lierkhampstead 


Pointers  and  setters. 
These  animals  by  nature  and 
training  are  sporting  dogs. 
They  form  part  of  a  group 
of  dogs  which,  when  they 
perceive  their  feathered  or 
their  furry  game,  stop  short, 
and  by  their  fi.xed  attitude 
indicate  to  the  sportsman 
the  direction  of  that  game. 
Probably  we  must  seek  the 
explanation  of  this  act, which 
astonishes  all  who  behold  it, 
in  the  innate  habit  of  all 
dogs  which  hunt  their  prey 
of   waiting  a   brief   moment 


English    Setters 


Bl.ack  and  T.\n  Terrier 

before  leaping  forward  to  seize  it. 
But  our  present  hunting  dogs  are 
trained,  from  father  to  son,  merely  to 
find  and  indicate  the  game,  never  to 
seize  it.  The  three  chief  races  of  set- 
ters are  the  Irish,  of  a  beautiful  golden 
brown  ;  the  Gordon  setter,  black  and 
tan  ;  and  the  English  breed,  which  is 
white,  or  white  and  brown,  or  white 
and  black.  These  dogs  are  necessarily- 
very  agile  in  their  movements,  which 
is  shown  by  their  sloping  shoulders, 
their  long  chests,  their  very  muscular 
and   rather  long  necks,  and    also   by 


i8 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Good  Tvpk  of  Sirni.R 

their  long  thighs  and  vigorous  loins.  Their 
undulating  silky  hair  does  not  render  them  very 
suitable  for  hunting  over  a  bushy  country,  but 
in  all  other  respects  they  are  invaluable  sport- 
ing dogs. 

The  Scotch,  or  Gordon,  setter  has  a  rather 
larger  head  than  other  setters,  with  a  larger 
muzzle  and  longer  ears  ;  he  is  black,  with  tan 
markings  on  the  jaws,  above  the  eyes,  on  the 
paws,    and    on    the   articulations.     If    we    caii 


beliexe  tradition,  a  Duke  of  Gordon  obtained 
the  breed  by  a  crossing  of  his  dogs  with  a 
Scotch  collie,  or  sheep  dog,  which  excelled  in 
hunting  partridges.  They  have  had  their  epoch 
of  fame  since  1S53,  ^vhen  some  fine  speci- 
mens of  the  breed  were  sent  to  a  bench  show. 
They  are,  and  by  good  right,  much  in  \'ogue 
as  pleasure  dogs  and  companions. 

The  Irish  setters  e.xcel  especially  in  their 
magnificent  golden  or  red-brown  color,  which 
gives  additional  charm  to  their  elegant  shape. 


H.WDso.ME  I'.^iR  OF  Gordon  Si/iters 


Gl-K.\1.\.N    ."^lloRl-H.VDiFD    HlNTI.NG    DOO 

They  are  by  nature  quick  and  agile  in  their 
movements,  like  the  English  setter,  which, 
however,  has  rather  shorter  legs.  Their  eyes, 
which  are  hazel  brown,  have  an  expression 
of  great  gentleness. 

Certain  German  sporting  dogs.  The  Ger- 
man pointing  dogs  with  smooth  coats  are 
of  quite  another  kind.  The\'  are  much 
valued  for  sporting  in  their  own  country 
and  elsewhere,  —  in  Holland,  for  instance, 
—  for  they  are  strong  constitutionally  and 
are  not  injured  by  rain  or  by  mud  in  the 
ditches.  They  are  excellent  for  partridges 
and  hares  ;  they  do  not  always  carry  their 
noses  in  the  air,  but  often  follow  the  trail 
of  the  game  along  the  soil.  Their  usefulness 
is  considerably  increased  by  their  almost 
perfect  intelligence  and  the  ease  with  which 
they  can  be  trained.  Much  time  elapsed, 
however,  before  their  breeding  was  brought 


THE   DOG 


19 


to  the  point  now  reached.  Opinions  and  tastes 
have  long  differed  regarding  a  desirable  size  of 
these  dogs,  their  crossing  with  English  pointers 
and  even  with  spaniels,  and  also  regarding  the 
qualities,  more  or  less  good,  of  the  different 
breeds. 

But  the  final  product,  the  German  smooth- 
haired  sporting  dog,  is  a  success  and  an  honor 
to  his  breeders.  The  height  of  the  shoulder 
ought  to  be  from  twenty  to  twenty-five  inches, 
and  the  weight  may  vary  from  fifty-five  to 
seventy  pounds.  The  color  is  brown,  or  white, 
spotted  or  specked  with  brown,  and  now  and 
then  black  and  white.  The  long-haired  dog  of 
the  same  kind  differs  very  little  from  the  short- 
er smooth-haired  animal,  except  that  the  chest 
is  slightly  narrower  and  the  feet  rather  longer. 

The  wiry-haired  pointing  dog  may  be  re- 
garded as  belonging  to  an  international  breed, 
though  Germany  has  spared  neither  trouble 
nor  expense  to  make   of  them  a  special  race. 


Gehm.an  Loxg-Hairkii  Hlntini.  Dij(, 


\VlRV-H.\lKF,l)    Hu.VTlXG    DoG 

E.  K.  Korthals,  the  Dutch  breeder,  has  applied 
himself  in  a  very  meritorious  manner  to  cross- 
ing all  German  sporting  dogs  with  the  indige- 
nous, wiry -haired  dogs  of  the  Low 
Countries,  Belgium,  and  France. 
The  results,  known  in  France  under 
the  name  of  griffons',  were  not  at 
first  accepted  by  German  sportsmen, 
and  a  long  debate  arose  on  the  name 
that  should  be  given  to  the  animal. 
To-day,  thanks  especially  to  the 
broad-mindedness  of  the  German 
"Club  Griffon,"  these  dogs  have 
passed  through  their  difficult  period 
and  are  now  animals  of  recognized 
usefulness,  which  is  the  essential 
thing.  The  head,  large  and  long, 
has  rough,  wiry  hair,  and  shows  a 
mustache  and  eyebrows  fitted  to  in- 
spire respect,  in  spite  of  their  great 
eyes  which  express  much  intelligence 
and  win  all  sympathies  at  first  sight. 
Their  iron-gray  or  gray-brown  color, 
and  their  hair,  which  feels  to  the 
touch  like  iron  wire,  give  to  these 
dogs  a  certain  resisting  quality  which 
we  seldom  find  to  the  same  degree 
in  other  breeds. 

Some   much   more    ancient    races 
of  German  dogs,  such  as  the  brach 


20 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


German  Lonc-Haiijf.d  Hintinc  Dog 

hound,  raised  chiefly  in  the  north  and  northwest 
of  Germany,  ought  to  be  considered  more  as 
beaters  of  game,  or  coursers.  Hunting  having 
been  much  changed  and  modified  in  the  lapse 
of  ages,  these  dogs  are  to-da_\-  in  the  background 
of  the  large  race  we  are  now  considering. 

Pet  doi^s.  "  Have  women  no  children  that 
they  caress  those  beasts?"  asked  a  Roman 
emperor,  on  observing  the  e.xcessive  care 
given  by  women  to  little 
dogs ;  whence  we  may 
conclude  that  the  habit  (jf 
having  pet  dogs  is  as  old 
as  civilization,  perhaps 
older.  Ladies  especially, 
in  all  lands,  had  such 
dogs,  and  it  is  not  sur- 
prising that  those  who 
had  the  time  petted  and 
spoiled  the  little  beasts, 
which  slept  not  only  in 
the  laps  of  their  mis- 
tresses but  even  in  their 


beds.  All  this  could  not  fail  to  injure  the  favorite 
races.  They  became  sickly,  capricious,  feeble, 
and  melancholy.  Some  little  amelioration  of 
their  state  came  about  when  King  Charles  I 
conceived   an   affection    for    small    black    and 


MP 

■ 

1 

wKKK^^ 

i 

s 

9 

^^^H 

B&;'  ■  f  \^t       ^^'^sS 

1 

^\ 

Children  of  Charles  I  {Van  Dyck) 


Ijli.nhi;l\i  Sfa.niel 
Photo  J.  T.  Xe^vnlan,  Berkhampstead 

brown  spaniels,  and  the  court,  as  well  as  all  the 
nobililw  f<illowed  his  princely  example.  The 
great  artist  Van  Dyck  painted  them  on  his 
canvas,  and  other  painters  took  good  care  to 
place  one  beside  the  great  personages  who 
patronized  them. 

The  King  Charles  spaniel  still  exists,  and 
was  soon  followed  by  the  Prince  Charles  and 
the  Blenheim  spaniels.  These  three  species 
differ  chiefly  in  color.  The  first  is  black  and 
tan,  with  no  white  on  him  ;  the  second  should 
be  white,  with  black  and  brown  markings  ;  the 
third,  named  Blenheim,  from  the  residence  and 
famous  victory  of  the 
Duke  of  Marlborough, 
is  reddish,  with  white 
spots.  A  fourth  species, 
the  ruby  spaniel,  wholly 
red,  completes  the  quar- 
tet of  this  pretty  little 
tribe  whose  apple-shaped 
heads,  short  snub  noses, 
and  whole  body  structure 
plainly  indicate  innu- 
merable crossings.  The 
spaniels  of  to-day  are  cer- 
tainly agreeable  pleasure 


THE   DOG 


21 


dogs,  little  pages  of  the 
boudoir,  and  graceful 
ornaments  among  the 
furniture.  One  thing, 
however,  is  to  be  regret- 
ted :  they  are  all  melan- 
choly, especially  the 
King  Charles  spaniel, 
who  is,  they  say,  still 
grieving  ff)r  the  death  of 
Charles  I. 

We  must  also  place 
among  the  pet  (or  petty  ?) 
dogs  the  pug,  who  rivals 
the  four  spaniels  in  his 
apple-shaped  skull.  Did 
the  pug  originate  in 
France  or  the  Low 
Countries.'  Scientists 
are  not  agreed  as  to  this. 


--J5<^  charitable  in  spite  of 
great  wealth)  by  dis- 
covering a  burglar  and 
his  kit  of  tools  under 
her  bed,  and  barking  till 
he  brought  the  house- 
hold. He  had  saved  his 
mistress  and  her  money, 
and  out  of  gratitude  the 
lady  was  converted  and 
the  poor  were  not  long 


Pug 


in  feeling  it. 

Pets  are  also  made  of 
liltle  Maltese  dogs  with 
long  silky  hair,  York- 
shire terriers,  and  dwarf 
terriers  ;  but  a  detailed 
description  of  all  the 
varieties  that  might  be 
mentioned  would  require 

but  the  pug  has  seen  his  bad  days  at  the  begin-      pages   upon  pages,   and    there  are   still    many 

ning  of  the  nineteenth  century,  when  the  race      families     barking    impatiently    at    our    gates 

became  almost  e.xtinct.    He  came  out  of  them,      awaiting  their  turn  for  notice. 

however,  to  his  advantage,  and 

now  sticks  his  tongue  out  at  all 

who  make  fun  of  him.    Besides 

this  curious  trick  of  his  tongue, 

his  tail,  rolled  up  as  tightly  as 

possible,  sways  to  left  or  right 

above  the  hip,  and  is  worthy 

of  attention.     The  typical  ex- 
pression of  his  face  betrays  at 

once  a  liking  for  sociability 

and  also  extreme  curiosity. 

Whether   a  pug  be   yellow  or 

apricot  color,  the  black  line  on 

his  back  must  be  clearly  visible, 

and  his   black  ears  and   mask 

must   make   sharp  contrast  to 

his  body.     Pugs  have  a  general 

air   of   high    livers,   thanks    to 

their  chunky  bodies  and  their 

rolls  of  flesh  ;  yet  they  are  not 

gluttons. 

It  is   told   of  a  certain  pug 

that  he  caused   the   total  con- 
version  of    his    mistress    (who 

was   very    miserly,   and    not 


22 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Coursing  dogs.  These  dogs  are  employed 
for  venery,  that  is  to  say,  for  hunting  with  a 
well-trained  pack  of  large,  strong,  agile  dogs, 
bred  and  kept  exclusively  for  this  purpose  in 
France  and  England,  and  in  some  parts  of  the 


kr 


I   II  \i;  1  l-.s 


United  States  and  Canada.  English  foxhounds 
are  known  the  world  o\'er,  if  only  b\-  the  nu- 
merous engravings  representing  huntsmen  in 
scarlet  coats  surrounded  by  their  dogs,  spotted 
white  and  brown  and  black,  or  flying  over  the 
hillsides  through  bushes 
and  bracken.  Hunt 
ing  of  this  kind 
was  fre 
quent. 


packs  are  very  celebrated,  and  several  belong 
to  more  than  one  person.  A  master  of  the 
hounds,  aided  by  a  huntsman  and  several 
"  whippers-in,"  or,  in  other  words,  servants  or 
trainers,  has  the  supervision  of  them.  The  cost 
of  this  amusement  is  enormous,  averaging  not 
less  than  from  seventeen  to  twenty  thousand 
dollars  a  year. 

As  the  chief  qualities  of  the  fo.xhound  should 
be  speed  and  perseverance,  his  paws  must  be 
strong,  his  back  solid,  his  loins  broad  and  mus- 
cular, his  chest  ample  for  the  lungs,  and  the 
soles  of  his  feet  hard.  The  legs  should  be  per- 
fectly straight,  the  neck  slim,  and  the  shoulders 
held  close  to  the  body.  The  nostrils  will  nat- 
urally be  large,  because  these  dogs  guide  them- 
selves by  scent  as  well  as  by  sight.  When  the 
wind  is  favorable  and  they  have  scented  the  fox 
they  run  forward,  barking  violently,  but  when 
they  approach  the  game  they  increase  their 
speed,  bark  no  longer,  rush  against  and  over 
each  other  and  over  all  obstacles  with  such 
eagerness  that  their  mad  course  can  be  followed 
only  by  the  best  horsemen. 

In    France    the    various 

species    of   hunting 

dogs  are  very 

n  u  m  e  r- 

I  u  s, 


even 

the  Middle 
Ages,  but  then 
they  hunted  with  grey- 
hounds and  terriers,  prop- 
erly so  called ;  little  by 
little,  however,  the  agile 


Enc;lish  Foxhounds  before  theu<  Kennel 

Photo  J.  T.  Newman,  Berkliampstead 


ano  troni 
very  early 
limes  the  kings 
of  France  paid  much 
attention  to  the  breed- 
ing of  hounds  and  kept 
a  great  number  of  packs. 


foxhound,  the  pride  of  more  than  one  master.  The  descendants  of  these  dogs  still  remam 
took  their  place.  Dogs  of  this  class  are  formed  in  certain  [provinces,  and  among  them  may  be 
into  packs  of  from  ten  to  sixty  couple.     Some      found  the  products  of  various  crossings. 


THE   DOG 


23 


English  Foxhounds 

Photo  J.  T.  Xtwman.  Berkhampstead 


They  are  named  for  the  regions  in  which  they 
are  found,  — dogs  of  Gascony,  Bordeaux,  Nor- 
mandy, and  Saintonge  ;  others  might  be  added, 
such,  for  instance,  as  the  dog  of  Bresse,  with 
long  hair,  and  the  breeds  called  royal,  such  as 
the  dog  of  St.  Hubert,  yellow  and  gray,  once 


belonging  to  St.  Louis  in  1226-1270;  and 
some  other  species.  With  his  great  "white 
pack  "  Louis  XIV  hunted  a  stag  on  one  occasion 
for  twenty  miles ;  the  dauphin  killed  a  wolf  on 
June  18,  1685,  after  a  chase  of  eight  hours  in 
excessive    heat.     A   pack   of    staghounds    was 


Foxhound  Pui's  for   Pui-i'V-Dog  Contest 


24 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


composed  of  260  dogs,  and  the  attendants  of 
the  hunt  numbered  in  all  491.  At  the  begin- 
ning of  the  next  century  the  pace  became 
slower,  for  the  king  was  obliged  to  follow  the 
hunt  in  a  carriage  ;  dogs  were 
then  trained  to  run  slower,  which 
compelled  the  breeders  after  a 
time  to  resort  to  crossings  with 
English  mongrels.  Since  then 
the  breed  of  French  hunting 
dogs  has  been  scattered  among 
all  sorts  of  secondary  species,  of 
which  at  least  a  dozen  now  exist. 
The  professor  dog.  He  who 
has  always  been  a  professor  in 
the  society  of  dogs  is,  undoubt- 
edly, the  poodle  ;  and  if  ever  dogs 
attain  unto  speech,  the  poodle 
will  be  the  first  to  inform  us.  It 
remains  to  be  seen  whether  a  new 
language    (and    that   a  dog  lan- 


ffuajre)  is  desirable 


whether 


WHnic  Poodle 


The  poodle  is  a  very  docile  animal,  much  in  de- 
mand therefore  by  Punch  and  Judy  and  acrobats. 
It  was  a  poodle  who  posted  himself  with 
mudd}-  feet  at  the  corner  of  a  certain  street  in 
Paris,  and  stepped  upon  the  pol- 
ished boots  of  the  passers,  where- 
upon his  master,  producing  his 
blacking  box  asked,  "  Shall  I 
clean  them,  sir  .?  "  It  was  like- 
wise a  poodle  who  fetched  four 
rolls  daily  from  the  baker.  One 
da\',  howe\er,  he  returned  with 
i)nl\-  three,  although  the  baker 
had  certainly  put  four  into  the 
basket.  The  next  day  and  the 
third  day  the  same  thing  hap- 
])ened  ;  the  poodle  brought  back 
onl\-  three  rolls.  He  was  then 
watched,  and  was  seen  to  turn 
into  a  side  street  and  stop  before 
a  stable.  In  that  stable  was  a 
mother  dog  with  puppies  a  few 
da)s  old.     The  poodle  carefully 


a  certain  French  judge  was  not 
right  when  he  told  some  friends  that  he  always  took  out  one  of  the  rolls  and  laid  it  before 
played  an  hour  with  his  dogs  after  a  long  court  her  ;  then  he  galloped  home  hurriedly  with 
session,   "  because,"  he  said,  "  I   had   listened      the  other  three. 

If  the  poodle  could  talk,  —  that  is,  ivlieu 
he  does  talk, — we  shall  find  out  how  and  why 
the  mind  of  his  particular  race  is  so  devel- 
oped ;  so  far  we  are  ignorant  on  the  subject. 
Poodles  were  formerly  true  water  span- 
iels, and  they  can  still  swim  very  well. 
They  are,  jjrobably,  distantly  related  to 
the  long-haired  watchdogs  of  the  steppes. 
Their  hair  is  curled  or  crimped  ;  a  variety, 
lately  introduced,  has  long  hair  hanging  in 
locks  about  the  face.  The  poodle  always 
walks  with  measured  steps,  as  if  he  were 
returning  from  his  dancing  lesson.  Black, 
white,  or  brown,  without  any  mixture  of 
shades,  are  the  colors  demanded  by  the 
fanciers  of  this  animal ;  the  nose,  however, 
must  be  black,  the  tail  never  curled,  the 
lips  black,  the  back  strong,  short,  and 
slightly  sloping.  He  is  in  all  respects  a 
to  so  many  dull  and  prolix  speakers  that  I  domestic  animal  and  a  faithful  guide,  and  is 
needed  to  rest  myself  with  intelligent  animals  hardened  to  a  northern  climate ;  he  never  yaps 
whii  did  not  speak."  and  is  never  turbulent. 


lil..\CK    POODLIi 


THE   DOG 


25 


The  Nczcfonitdlands.    Rarely  has  the  repro-  as  many  as  formerly.    Their  height  is  at  present 

duction  of  a  picture  been  so  generally  and  so  from  twenty-four  to  twenty-six  inches  (though 

easily  (in  the  matter  of  price)  brought  within  on  the  island  of  Newfoundland  they  are  nearly 

the  reach  of  all  as  in  the  case  of  the  well-known  always  smaller),  and  that,  perhaps,  makes  them 


painting  by  Sir  Edwin  Landseer,  representing 
a  black  and  white  Newfoundland,  under  the  title 
of  "A  Distinguished  Member  of  the  Humane 
Society."  It  is  a  pity,  however,  that  Land- 
seer neglected  to  give  the  dog  his  original 
color  —  black,  without  admixture  of 
any  kind  ;  for  though  the  inhabitants 
of  Newfoundland  have  never  taken 
any  pains  with  their  dogs,  the 
black,  or  occasionally  a  brown 
ish  black,  remains  the  domi- 
nant color,  and  Land  sec  1 
made  his  dog  black  and 
white  solely  for  pictorial 
effect.  It  did,  however, 
set  a  fashion,  and  breed- 


>.  hU  hoL'MlL.A.M) 
Plioto  J.  T.  Newman,  Berkhampstead 


incon\enient  and  clums)-  about  the  house.  In 
England,  however,  they  breed  them  to  a  still 
greater  height.  So  long  as  children's  nurses 
are  not  superseded  by  Newfoundlands  in 
duties  for  which  the  latter  are  well  Pttetl, 
this  race  is  better  suited  to  the  coun- 
try than  to  cities.  No  better  watch- 
d(.igs  could  be  foimd,  and  no  one  is 
in  danger  of  drowning  as  long  as 
a  Newfoundland  is  on  the  place. 
They  are  ver)-  observant  of 
domestic  matters  and  of 
the  habits  of  a  household, 
as  the  following  instance 
shows.  A  Newfoundland 
was  accustomed  to  go  out 


ers  consec[uently  put  upon  the  market,  as  soon  at  a  certain  hour  with  his  master,  who  had  taught 
as  possible,  a  black  and  white  variety,  which  him  to  fetch  his  cane.  One  day  it  rained  so 
has    now  as    much    right    to  existence  as    the      heavily  that   there  was   no   cjuestion   of  going 


wholly  black  species. 

The  Newfoundland  is  an  admirable  swimmer, 
being  able  to  swim  for  an  hour  without  resting. 
He  literally  lives  in  the  water  and  has  often  ren- 
dered great  service  in  saving  lives.     Examples 


out.  The  dog  brought  the  cane  as  usual,  and 
seemed  puzzled  and  distressed  at  being  sent 
away.  He  left  the  room,  howe\er,  and  pres- 
ently returned,  bringing  an  umbrella  ! 

The  paws  of  a  Newfoundland  serve  him  as 


of    this    are   almost    innumerable,   and    on   all      oars  ;  they  ought  to  be  straight  and  slim  though 


D.ANDIE    DiNMO.NT    TeKRIER 


Skve  Tkkkier 


sides  the  race  is  lauded  as  very  intelligent,  and  strongly    muscled.     The    toes    are    united    bv 

extremely  faithful  and  gentle,  especially  with  skin,  or  webbing,  which  must  be  regarded  as  a 

children.    Byron  wrote  a  touching  poem  on  his  help  in  swimming.    The  tail  should  be  carried 

Newfoundland,  and  so  have  many  others  ;  yet,  straight.    The  head  is  large  and  flat,  and  the 

strange    to    say,   the   taste   for   these   dogs   is  weight   required  for  bench  shows  is  from  one 

diminishing  b)'  degrees,  and  we  no  longer  see  hundred  to  one  hundred  and  thirty  pounds. 


26 


OUR  DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


Bull  Terrier 

The  bull  terrier  and  the  Seoteh  terrier.    The 
great    family    of    terriers    counts    many   other 
breeds  besides  those  we  have  ah'ead\ 
named.    We  now  come  to  th 
bull    terriers,    the    Scotch, 
Skye,  and   Dandie  Din 
mont    terriers.     The 
bull    terrier,    as    his 
name    indicates, 
comes  from   the 
crossing    of    bull- 
dogs with  terriers. 
A  strong  and  agile 
race  was  desired, 
and  agile  the  bull- 
dog was  not. 

In  1 85 2  a  breed 
of  English  terriers 
of  unusual  height 
seems  to  have  at- 
tracted the  atten- 
tion of  all  breeders 
on  the  continent  of 
Europe ;  and  when 
combats  between 
bulldogs  and  other 
animals  w  ere 
gradually  forbid- 
den, an  effort  was 
made  to  turn  the 
race  into  a  safe 
domestic  dog. 
Bench    shows 


Her  F.worite  \v.\s  .\  Scotch  Terrier 

Photo  J.  T-  Newman,  Berkliampstead 


assisted  the  purpose,  and  now  this  lithe 
and  slim  white  dog,  called  a  bull  terrier, 
with  his  strong  constitution,  is  an  orna- 
ment to  the  tribe.  His  native  strength  is 
still  shown  by  his  solid  shoulders,  his  power- 
ful hind  quarters,  his  supple  body,  and  his 
muscular  paws.  No  other  trace  of  the  bull- 
dog is  in  him,  unless  it  may  be  a  species 
of  enlargement  around  the  eyes  and  jaws, 
which  is  only  shown  in  a  few  individuals 
about  their  third  year.  This  race  is  a  proof 
of  the  excellence  of  English  breeders,  for 
while  it  gains  from  the  terrier  more  intelli- 
gence than  from  the  bulldog,  it  has  kept  all 
the  strength  of  the  latter. 
Very  different  is  the  Scotch  terrier.  Small 
ody,  clever  and  shrewd,  with  his  rough 
ray  or  black  hair  and  his  long  body, 
he  is  not  at  all  vulgar  in  air  or 
manner.  The  late  Queen 
Victoria  had  a  Scotch 
terrier  named  Caer- 
nach,  who  accom- 
panied her  on  all  her 
journeys.  Giving 
orders  that  the  ship 
of  war  Ligli tiling 
should  escort  the 
royal  yacht,  the 
Queen  wrote,"  The 
L  igh  t  n  i  ng  will 
carry  the  eighth 
battalion  and  our 
footman,  Ben  da, 
with  our  terrier 
Caernach." 

The  Skye  terrier 
is  also  a  Scotch 
race,  and,  like  all 
animals  living  in 
northern  climates, 
he  is  provided  with 
a  heavy  coat.  His 
body  is  long  and 
his  legs  short,  so 
that  his  hair,  which 
hangs  straight 
down  on  both  sides, 


THE   DOG 


27 


old    race  of   bulldogs   found    in   England,  and 
which  also  existed  in  Germany  in  times  gone 


often  touches  the  ground.  This  hair,  which  is 
rough  and  bristling,  is  sometimes  five  and  one- 
half  inches  long.  The  hair  of  the  head  is  shorter  by.  They  were  used  as  butchers'  dogs,  to 
and  softer  than  that  of  the  body.  There  are  guard  and  drive  cattle,  and  also  as  watchdogs. 
Skyes  with  erect  ears  and  Skyes  with  pendent      The  old  engravings  of  Ridinger  give  a  good 


A  Fi:\v   Prize  Boxkrs 


ears.    Their  color  varies  from  a  dark  blue  gray 
to  a  tawny  gray  with  black  points. 

The  Dandie  Dinmont  terrier  completes  the 
Scotch  trio.  His  name  is  well  known  to  those 
who  are  familiar  with  the  novels  of  Walter 
Scott.  If  any  one,  by  chance,  has  forgotten 
him,  he  may  open  Giij  JSIanncring  and  turn 
to  the  energetic  character  of  farmer  Dinmont. 
It  is  said  that  Scott  reproduced  in  him  a  cer- 
tain Da\idson  of  Hindlee,  who  had  some  little 
pepper-and-salt  dogs,  two  of  which,  named  Pep- 
per and  Mustard,  were  the  progenitors  of  the 
Dandie  Dinmont  breed.  The  present  weight 
of  these  terriers  should  be  about  si.xteen  or 
eighteen  pounds.  The  long  hair  of  the  animal 
ought  to  have  certain  characteristics ;  there 
should  be  a  mi.xture  of  soft  hair  and  stiff  hair, 
but  neither  should  be  wiry  nor  silky.  It  is  not 
cjuite  so  long  as  in  other  Scotch  terriers  and 
is  rather  shiny  on  the  head.  They  are  lithe 
clogs,  solidly  built,  low  on  the  front  legs,  the 
tail  rather  thick,  being  wide  at  the  roots  and 
tapering  to  a  point. 

The  boxers.  We  can  study  boxers  in  the 
Old  World  without  having  anything  to  do  with 
the  Chinese.  By  boxers  is  meant  a  collection 
of  dogs  which  differ  very  much  in  form  and 
color,  but   yet  are  very  closely  related   to  an 


idea  of  them.  Here  and  there  in  the  north 
of  Germany  and  also  in  Wiirttemberg  there 
still  exist  traces  of  this  original  species,  which 
is  far  from  handsome.  Lately  much  serious 
attention  has  been  given  to  this  race  of  dogs, 
and  the  result  is  the  boxer,  called  also  the 
Boston  terrier,  although  he  is  not  related  to 
our  own  American  breed  of  the  same  name. 


Skye  Terrier  with  Long  Ears 

Photo  J.  T.  Newman.  Berkliampstead 

The  exhibition  of  types  of  boxers  obtained  by 
careful  breeding  has  caused  much  improve- 
ment in  the  unity  of  the  race.  Very  fine  speci- 
mens were  seen  in    the  bench    shows  of   last 


28 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


W.ALDMANX 


year,  especiall}'  in 
Holland,  the  Dutch 
breeders  even  carry- 
ing off  the  first  prizes 
in  Germany.  We 
ma\-  now  consider 
the  boxer  as  a  good 
dog  which  shows  no 
peculiarity  of  shape, 
but  takes  his  place 
between  the  bulldog 
and  the  bull  terrier. 
The  Waldmaint  or 
Dachsliuihl.  In  Ger- 
many they  give  this 
tlog  the  syh'an  name 
of  W'aldmann  (forest 
man),  but  he  is  by  no 
means  exclusively  a 
forest  dog.  He  is, 
however,  inseparable 
from  the  German 
hunter  or  forester,  and  as  these  men  spend  their 
lives  in  the  woods  and  mountains  their  dog  re- 
ceives the  name  of  forest  or  mountain  dog.  The 
shape  of  this  German  basset  is  almost  weird. 
He  is  low  on  his  paws,  with  a  very  long  body, 
and,  seen  from  in  front,  his  legs  appear  so  con- 
torted that  it  were  well  he  had  never 
been  born.  Seen  on  the  right  or 
the  left,  the  legs  of  a  good 
German  basset  are  straight 
from  the  body.  The  head 
is  long  and  narrow,  the 
ears  hang  down  the  whole 
length  of  the  head,  and 
the  body  is  also  long,  but 
has  no  saddle,  a  form 
which,  if  present,  betrays 
weakness.  The  tail  should 
be  as  slim  as  possible  and 
should  not  turn  \\\)  upon  the 
back.  In  color  some  are  black 
brown-black,  red-brown,  light  brown, 
mouse  color,  or  white  spotted.  The 
white  and  mouse-colored  varieties 
are  very  rare.  We  shall  see  the  German  bassets 
at  work  when  we  come  to  ferreting  out  foxes 


Ghr.m.an  B.asset 


and   badgers,    and    we  can   then    admire   their 
\ivacity,  their  courage,  and  their  slyness. 

The  beagle.  Among  the  small  hunting  dogs 
that  are  employed,  sometimes  in  packs  and  some- 
times singly,  to  ferret  out,  chase,  and  catch,  if 
possible,  small  game,  we  find  the  beagle,  a  \-ery 
ancient  race,  well  known  in  1614.  It  is  said 
that  his  English  name  of  "  beagle  "  comes  from 
the  old  French  word  bugle  (the  etjitga  reftaiis, 
a  woodland  plant).  Like  the  French  bassets, 
they  give  voice,  when  the  passion  of  the  chase 
seizes  them,  to  a  peculiarly  sonorous  note.  The 
beagle  is  a  popular  breed  in  many  parts  of 
America  and  is  commonly  used  in  hunting 
rabbits  and  such  game. 

The  French  basset,  very  wrongfully  con- 
founded sometimes  with  the  German  basset, 
makes  part,  together  with  the  beagles,  of  what 
is  called  in  France  the  "  minor  hunting  estab- 
lishment," to  distinguish  them  from  the  races 
of  large  hunting  dogs  which  make  up  what  is 
called  the  "  great  establishment."  The  two  spe- 
cies may  be  regarded  as  dwarf  varieties  of  the 
larger  dogs.  For  a  pleasure  dog  the  basset, 
as  he  is  bred  in  France  (and  not  as  he  is 
badly  bred  in  America),  is  a  charming  domes- 
tic dog,  excellent  for  his  sociability  and  for  his 
extraordinary  patience  with  children.  The  most 
esteemed  are  three-colored,  white, 
brown,  and  black,  the  different 
patches  of  which  are  gracefully 
distributed  over  the  body. 
A  young  basset  ought  not 
to  be  more  than  a  dozen 
inches  in  height,  meas- 
ured from  the  shoulder. 
There  are  two  varieties 
of  hair,  smooth  and 
rough.  It  is  very  curious 
to  watch  the  waddling  gait 
of  his  plump  body  on  its  big 
short  legs,  of  which  the  front 
ones,  not  more  than  four  inches 
ong,  are  sunk  in  at  the  knees  and 
then  bent  outward,  like  those  of  a 
turnspit.  The  head  has  a  well- 
developed  bump  at  the  back,  called  the  hunt- 
ing bump,  round  which  the  plump  flesh  forms 


THE   DOG 


29 


numerous  folds.  Long  ears,  some- 
times touching  the  ground  when  the 
dog  is  following  a  scent,  complete  one 
of  the  most  original  of  the  canine  race. 

Besides  these  three  small  species 
hunting  is  still  done  with  little  span- 
iels, among  which  are  the  yellow 
clumbers,  the  Susse.x  browns,  the 
fields,  black  or  variegated,  and  the 
cocker  spaniels,  also  black  or  striped. 
All  these  dogs,  trained  to  bring  back 
the  game,  have  long,  low  bodies  and 
are  very  active  and  easily  trained  to 
their  work.  The  weight  of  a  good 
cocker  spaniel  should  never  exceed 
twenty-five  pounds. 

Water  spaniels  have  frizzled,  close- 
curled  hair.  There  are  two  species  — 
the  Irish,  which  is  brown,  and  the 
English,  which  is  black,  brown,  or  pie- 
bald, both  being  excellent  and  very 
active  hunters.  A  taste  for  hunting- 
seems  inborn  in  them ;  they  are 
scarcely  out  in  the  open  country  be- 
fore they  forget  everything  except  their  train- 
ing. It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that  a 
cocker  spaniel  on  one  occasion  showed  his 
contempt  for  a  bad  sportsman.  His  master 
had  lent  him  for  some  days  to  a  friend,  and 
Banker  (that  was  the  dog's  name)  started  at 
once  to  search  the  fields  with  the  greatest 
zeal.  He  had  already  scented  a  covey  of  par- 
tridges and  caused  them  to  take  wing,  but 
the  sportsman  missed    his   shot,  to   the   great 


Beagles 

Photo  J.  T.  Newman,  Berkhampstead 


French  B..\sset 

amazement  of  the  dog.  The  latter  repeated 
his  duty  three  times,  the  sportsman  proving 
equally  inexpert.  This  angered  the  dog.  He 
stopped  his  work,  appeared  to  reflect,  walked 
back  to  the  sportsman  and  three  times  round 
him  ;  then  he  raised  his  paw,  laid  it  on  the 
man's  boot,  turned  away,  and  went  straight 
back  to  his  own  home.  And  yet  people  say 
that  dogs  have  no  minds  ! 

The  German  zvatcluiog.  In  judging  of  the 
beauty  of  a  breed  we  often  run 
up  against  the  impossibility  (in 
this  and  in  other  cases)  of  giving 
a  clear  definition,  applicable  in 
all  cases,  of  the  idea  of  beauty, 
and  the  dog  which  shows  in  his 
exterior  neither  monotony  nor 
excess  in  any  particular  is  apt 
to  carry  the  day.  The  German 
watchdog  is  such  a  one,  and  he 
imites  his  good  qualities  in  ex- 
cellent proportion.  Strength, 
elegance,  a  slim  neck,  the  head 
high,  the  movements  rapid  but 


^o 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


■■9 

El 

^L 

M 

m 

mI 

m 

CllCKF.K    Sr.W  II   I 

dignified,  a  frank,  open  glance,  penetrating  but 
inspiring  confidence  —  such  are  the  gener- 
ally recognized  cjualities  of  this  race,  and 
by  them  they  have  won  both  esteem  and 
admiration.  The  early  dogs  of  this  species 
came  of  a  crossing  between  the  English 
mastiff  and  the  Irish  hound  and  were  then 
large  and  savage.  At  the  beginning  of  the 
sixteenth  century  they  were  imported  to 
Germany  for  hunting  the  wild  boar,  and 
when  that  sport  ceased,  or  fell  off  in  popu- 
larity, the  breeding  and  taming  of  the  race 
for  pleasure  dogs  and  watchdogs  continued, 
and  they  then  received  the  names  of  Ulm 
dogs  and  Danish  dogs.  These  two  names, 
which  are  still  frequently  met  with,  are  now 
given  erroneously.  It  is  possible  that  the 
Danish  dog  has  been  crossed  from  time  to 
time  with  the  dog  of  south  Germany  or 
WiJrttemberg  ;  but  the  German  dog  of  our 
day  is  a  Gcniian  dog,  and  the  name  of 
Great  Dane,  given  in  France,  England,  and 
America,   is  incorrect. 


The  variety  of  color  in  dogs  of  this  race  con- 
tributes to  increasing  their  friends  and  admirers. 
Some  are  brindled  (black  lines  on  a  yellow  or 
orange  ground),  and  some  are  uniformly  yellow 
or  mouse  color,  although  these  are  becoming 
rare.  Others  are  spotted  black  and  white,  or 
are  uniformly  black.  The  ears,  being  cut  at  a 
very  early  age,  give  the  animal  a  better  appear- 
ance and  save  him  from  injur)'  to  their  lobes. 
It  is  an  error  to  represent  these  dogs  as  false. 
Of  course  there  may  be  specimens  in  this  race, 
as  in  all  others,  that  will  not  endure  being 
played  with,  but  they  are  not  treacherous.  On 
the  contrary,  they  are  good  and  faithful  guard- 
ians of  the  house  and  of  children,  and  though 


'  .^■^9 

^ 

^^K^ 

Hlff  i '  '''^ 

^.1 

% 

b> 

IJl  ACKI-Il Ml    .'-•I'  \M 


Handsome  P.air  of  German  Hounds 

they  are  strong  enough  to  be  recalcitrant,  they 
remain  calm  and  dignified  in  critical  moments, 
and  are  always  responsive  to  the  call  of  their 
master  or  mistress.  Their  tail  is  their  weak 
point  in  two  respects.  First,  they  often  break 
the  end  of  it  in  their  joy,  and  the  harm  is 
difficult  to  repair;  and  secondly,  the  modern 
system  of  breeding  for  bench  shows  requires 
that  the  tail  of  this  German  dog  shall  never  be 
raised  higher  than  the  level  of  his  back,  even 
in  moments  of  agitation;  and  that  is  a  very 
difficult  thing  to  compass,  even  in  a  dog  with 


THE    DOG 


31 


German  Hound  with  hi-:k  Vocng  and  a  Dutch  Shkep   Dot;,  hi:k   Kennel  Comhamox 


a  sad  disposition,  when  nature  has  given  his 
tail  an  upward  turn. 

Dogs  ivitk  pointed  muzzles.  The  dogs  with 
pointed  muzzles  formed  for  centuries  a  race 
apart  in  the  north  of  Europe  ;  and,  strange  to 
say,  they  have  undergone  but  little  change 
to  this  day.  The  Eskimo,  Lapp,  Finnish, 
and  Iceland  dogs,  together  with  the  Pom- 
eranians, all  have  the  same  protecting  long 
hair  and  pointed  nose.  The  Pomeranians, 
which  may  be  white,  black,  or  iron-gray, 
and  which  vary  considerably  in  size  here 
and  there,  far  e.xcel  all  the  other  breeds  of 
their  race  by  their  vigilance  and  their  sharp 
barking.  Very  intelligent,  quite  inquisitive, 
and  rather  distrustful,  they  utter  a  cry  of 
alarm  on  the  slightest  occasion.  Dogs  com- 
peting at  bench  shows  must  have  their  ears 
erect,  their  color  clear  and  decided,  their 
tails  laid  up  over  their  backs,  and  their  legs 
straight.  The  hair  should  be  long,  straight, 
and  silky,  and  form  a  mane  around  the 
neck.  The  animal  should  not  weigh  more 
than  twenty-two  pounds. 

The  Belgian  schipperke,  which  belongs  to 
this  race,  is  very  small  and  is  much  in  demand 
for  its  typical  exterior.    The  brave  little  fellow, 
who  is  all  black  and  yaps  more  than  he  barks, 


has  some  talent  for  sport  and  is  a  great  lover 
of  horses.  He  attracts  attention  by  his  very 
pointed  head  and  sharp  nose,  his  thick  black 
hair  with  its  ruff,  and  the  total  absence  of  any- 
thing resembling  a  tail.    Our  space  does  not 


permit  us  to  inquire  if  that  absence  is  the  result 
of  artificial  breeding,  or  is  a  transmission  of 
inheritance.    A  good  schipperke  ought  not  to 


32 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Spotted  German  Watchdog 


this  we  must  add  that  beating  for  game 
has  become  so  much  the  fashion  that  the 
[jointer  is  less  in  demand. 

It  is  said  that  he  was  frequently  crossed 
in  former  times  with  the  bulldog  and  the 
greyhound.  When  the  race  was  sufficiently 
improved  magnificent  breeds  were  obtained ; 
among  which  may  be  mentioned  the  white 
and  brown  pointers  of  Garth,  Bentinek, 
Arkwright,  and  Price,  and  the  yellow  and 
white  dogs  of  Whitehouse,  Brierly,  and 
Salter.  It  may  be  said  of  the  modern 
pointer  that  he  has  but  one  defect,  —  his 
weak  constitution.  He  is  a  model  of  beauty. 
A  magnificent  gallop,  rapid  motions,  an  im- 
posing air,  and  an  expressive,  undulating 
tail   are  characteristics  of  this  noble  dog. 


weigh  more  than  twelve  pounds  if  he  belongs      His  every  muscle  performs  its  function  when 


to  the  small  kind,  or  more 
than  twenty  pounds  if  he  be- 
longs to  the  large  kind. 

Pointers    and    retrievers. 
The  very  noble  English  sport- 
ing dog,  called  a  pointer,  who 
owes  his  name  and  universal 
reputation   to   his  excellent 
manner   of   pointing   out    the 
game,  originated  probably  in 
Spain.    The  modern  pointer, 
bred  and  improved   with  the 
utmost  care  (though  subjected 
now   and    then    to   the    caprices   of   sport   and 
fashion),  differs  in  the  present  day  from  his 
Spanish  ancestors  and  is  an  honor  to  Eng- 
lish breeding.     He  is  exclusively  employed 
by   English   and    American    sportsmen    to 
discover  and  point  out  the  game  ;  and  his 
wonderful    flair    (perception)    transmitted 
from   generation  to  generation,  his  admir- 
able immobility  from  the  moment  he  scents 
the  game,  and  the  willingness  with  which 
he  lends  himself  to  training  cannot  be  too. 
much  praised.    The  pointer  seeks  eagerly 
with    rapid    steps;    but    the   game    of   late 
years  growing  more  and  more  wild,  he  is 
less  used  now  than  formerly.    The  grouse, 
especially,  no  longer  finding  as  much  shel- 
ter in  the   fields,  fly  more  hurriedly.     To 


Black  Wolf  Dog 

traight    as    the    barrels    of   a   gun 


he  is  at  work,  and  he  gives  him- 
self body  and  soul  to  the  task 
confided  to  him.  The  sports- 
man often  goes  out  with  a  pair 
of  pointers  who,  as  they  seek, 
approach  each  other  obliquely. 
When  one  dog  finds  game  the 
other  respects  him  by  stand- 
ing still,  which  evidently  re- 
quires severe  training. 

Pointers  for  exhibition  must 
have   broad   chests  of  good 
depth,    between   two   legs   as 
The   feet 


1;la(_k  a.mi   Whim.   W  uli    D 


THE   DOG 


33 


should  be  round  and  very  com- 
pact. The  shoulders  and  also 
the  back  must  slope  towards 
the  short  and  pointed  tail, 
whereas  the  hind  quarters  must 
be  robust  and  muscular.  The 
head  should  be  broad  between 
the  ears  and  the  muzzle  lonj;'. 
The  color  of  the  body  is  white 
and  liver  colored,  or  lemon-yel- 
low and  white,  or  white  flecketl 
with  black.  But  the  essential 
thing  is  a  respectable  geneal- 
ogy, which  all  competing  dogs 
of  renown  possess. 

With  the  pointer  we  may 
name  the  retriever,  an  English 
race  of  which  two  varieties 
exist,  —  the  long  haired  and 
the  frizzled  or  crinkled  haired. 
They  have  in  them  the  blood 


Belgian  Schipperkens 


of  the  setter  and  the  Newfoundland.  The  friz- 
zled retriever  shows  traces  of  the  blood  of  the 
water  spaniel.  His  hair  is  black,  and  the  head 
is  long,  with  strong  jaws  by  which  to  carry 
heavy  game.  His  business  is  to  recover,  or  "  re- 
trieve," the  game  that  the  sportsman  has  shot. 


Prize  Dog 

Brussels,  and  the  race  is  now  carefully 
kept  up,  thanks  to  the  Club  of  Brussels 
Griffons,  founded  in  1889.  They  may 
be  regarded  as  a  dwarf  form  of  the 
rattler  (pinchers).  They  are  intelligent 
dogs  and  very  lively,  and  their  eyes 
have  an  almost  human  expression.  The 
apple-shaped  head  is  covered  with  stiff 
hair,  which  is  longer  about  the  eyes  and 
jaws  than  elsewhere.  The  black  eyelids 
bring  out  the  brilliancy  of  the  eyes.  The 
lips  ought  always  to  be  black,  while 
the  rest  of  the  body  is  reddish  brown; 


T//e  Brussels  griffon.  This  is  a  v&xy  pretty 
dog  and  much  in  demand.  He  became  known 
to  fanciers  about  forty  years  ago,  and  he  made 
his  first  appearance  on  exhibition  at  Brussels  in 
1880.  The  specimens  then  exhibited  were  sold 
in  England,  but  their  descendants  remained  in 


.A  \'l    K\"    I-'l\  I     '\'\\'\ 


W'l  1(11  I. v-H AIRED  Retriever 


34 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Superb  Collecti 


the  nose  is  brown,  the  eyes  light,  the  crest  of 
the  head  sili<y,  and  all  white  spots  are  consid- 
ered blemishes.  The  tail  is  carried  very  high. 
If  the  Brussels  griffon  belongs  to  the  smaller 
species,  he  should  weigh  about  five  pounds  ; 
if  not,  the   ma.ximum  weight   is  ten  pounds. 


The  late  Queen  Draga  of 
Servia  owned  one  of  these  dogs, 
which  saved  her  life,  unfortu- 
nately only  for  a  short  time. 
A  plot  to  poison  her  had  been 
suspected  and  her  griffon  was 
made  to  taste  all  the  dishes 
that  were  served  to  her ;  the 
animal  died  and  the  cook  who 
had  prepared  the  dinner  de- 
stroyed himself. 

TIic  slicplicni  dog.  One  might 
write  a  whole  \'olume  on  these 
interesting  animals.  The  type 
is  uniformly  spread  throughout 
Europe  and  America,  though 
here  and  there  it  differs  a  little 
in  size,  coat,  and  form  of  head, 
thanks  to  breeding,  chance,  or 
the  influence  of  climate.  The 
original  bobtailed  woolly  dog  of  the  English 
shepherd  has  become  a  race  that  is  now  con- 
stantly bred.  He  attracts  immediate  atten- 
tion by  his  restless  movements  and  his  rich 
fleece  of  yellow  tinted  with  steel-blue  or  gray. 
The  pendent  ears,  lying  close  to  the  head,  do 


Kl.\ni;l  of  PoixTiats  contaimni,  tiu^  Iji;st  Continental  Tvpes 


THE   DOG 


o3 


not  give  the  idea  of  the  attention  we  should 
naturally  expect  of  the  guardian  of  a  flock  of 
sheep  in  the  open  country.  The  Scotch  collie 
having  become  by  breeding  a  very  charming 
pleasure  dog,  with  thick,  glossy  hair  (the  colors 
of  which  are  well  marked),  pointed  head,  and 
ears  partly  erect  and  restless  in  motion,  has 
lost  much  of  the  primitive  type,  though  in 
Germany  breeders  are  never  weaiy  of  laudable 
efforts  to  bring  him  back  to  the  collecting  and 
driving  of  sheep.  Thus  the  German,  Dutch, 
and  Belgian  shepherd  dogs  show  by  their 
rougher  exterior  and  eager,  intrepid  tempera- 
ment, which  is  worthy  of  all  confidence,  much 
of  the  primitive  animal. 

Nevertheless,  the  collie,  now  very  popular 
as  a  pleasure  dog,  carries  the  day  in  popular  Take  him  out  for  a  walk  and  he  will  circle 
estimation,  and  enormous  sums  are  paid  in  continually  round  and  round  his  master.  His 
both    this    and    other   countries  for  successful      natural  disposition  is  frank,  and  never  treach- 


Glossv-H.aired  Retriever 

Photo  J.  T.  Newman.  Berkhanipstead 


Dutch  Shki'hkrd  Dogs 


prize  winners.  The  good  shepherd  dog,  no 
matter  what  his  breeding  has  been,  seldom 
loses    his    innate    characteristic    of   vigilance. 


erous  ;  but  he  does  not  understand  a  joke,  and 
is  always  ready  to  use  his  sharp  teeth  in  de- 
fense of  the  person  or  things  that  have  been 
intrusted  to  him. 

The  French  shepherd  dog,  which 
is  either  black  or  brown,  nanielv,  the 
Beauce  dog  or  the  smaller  race  of 
Brie,  has  been  raised  of  late  with 
much  care.  The  first  species  was 
formerly  used  for  gathering  truffles. 
The  Brie  dogs  usually  have  their  tails 
shortened.  The  Italian,  or  Bergamo, 
breed,  which  is  large,  with  long 
hair,  and  t  le  Russian  dog  (seen  only 
recently  at  bench  shows)  have  not 
as  yet  attracted  general  attention ; 


36 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


Wagon  Load  of  Puppies 

neither  has  the  dog  of  the  Pyrenees,  which  is 
better  fitted  for  guarding  and  protecting  great 
fioclvs  of  sheep  or  herds  of  cattle  than  for  ac- 
companying and  helping  the  shepherd. 

Tcn-icrs,  —  Dutch,  Gcrmaiu  and  English. 
From  a  scientific  point  of  view  we  ought  to 
have  ranked  with  the  terriers  we  have  already 
considered  at  a  bird's-eye  view  the  Dutch  dog, 
the  Smousje,  the  German  pincher,  and  the 
Airesdale  terrier.  The  curly-haired  Smousje, 
with  a   roguish  head  and  a  comically  serious 


eye   that  go  very 


veil  with  his  rather   rotund 


body,  has  legs  and  loins  that  reveal  to  a  con- 
noisseur eagerness   and  perseverance   in  long 
runs.    In   Holland  too  little  is  being  done  to 
improve    and    preserve    this    breed,    which    is 
almost  unknown  to  foreigners.    It  is  otherwise 
with  his  larger  congener,  the  German  pincher, 
familiar  to  all  stables  ;   he  i:;  a  faithful   guide 
and  well  fitted  for  a  calm,  attentive,  domestic 
dog.   Though  he  has  never  been  used  for  sport 
ing,  he  never  stays  at  home  when  there 
is  the   slightest  chance  of  pursu 
ing,  catching,  and  "pinching" 
a  rat ;  hence  his  name.     His 
agility  in  killing  those  small 
rodents  has  won  him  in  Eng- 
land the  name  of  "  rattler." 
The  hair  of  the  pinchers  is 
a  brain  puzzle  for  all  breeders. 
For  bench  shows  it  should  be 
as  wiry  and  thick  as  possible,  but 
not  long,  and,  above  all,  it  should 
be  evenly  distributed  over  the  body. 
A  short  mustache  and  thick,  bushy 


color  may  be  yellowish  red  or  yellowish  gray, 
but  it  must  be  uniform,  and  white  is  a  positive 
blemish.  The  dwarf  pincher  with  wiry  hair  is 
the  same  as  the  pincher  with  glossy  hair,  the 
latter  being  only  a  chance  variety  obtained 
by  artificial  breeding.    The  monkey  pincher 


Old  English  Shepherd 
Dog  (Bobtail) 


English  Shepherd  Dog  (Collie) 
Photo  J.  T.  Newman,  Berkhanipstead 

is  a  dwarf  with  a  round  head  which  looks  as 
if  its  development  had  been  stunted  in  its  youth. 
The  pincher  Dobermann,  of  very  recent  date, 
and   coming  from   a  crossing  of   the   German 
pincher   with    certain    shepherd   dogs 
belonging  to  M.  Dobermann,  is  a 
much    vaunted    dog,    relatively 
tall    (from   twenty-five   to 
twenty-six  inches)  and  vigor- 
ously   built.      Its    color    is 
beautiful, —  a  brilliant  black, 
reddish  brown  at  the  e.xtrem- 
ities,  and  perhaps  a  few  white 
specks  on  the  chest. 
The  third  member  of  this  family 
is    the    Airesdale    terrier,    a   large 
black  and  brown  dog,- with  a  strong 
constitution,  courageous,  and  well 


eyebrows  are  much  esteemed.    The  Photo  j.T.xew^an.Berkhampstead  fitted  to  accompany  bicycles  and 


THE   DOG 


37 


carriages.     Having    a    height 
twenty-one  inches,  he  cannot  well 
fulfill  the  usual  functions  of  an 
English  terrier. 

And  now,  in  taking  leave 
of  terriers,  we  must  con- 
tent   ourselves,  in   conse- 
quence  of    limited  space, 
by  merely  naming  the  red- 
brown    Irish    terrier,    who 
possesses  excellent  domes- 
tic   qualities,    and    the   Wels 
terrier,  the  product   of   English 
breeding,  —  a   weakened   specimen 
of    the    Airesdale    and    Irish    terriers. 

The  Iiound.    We  shall  now  end   this 
rapid  glance  cast  over  the  enormous  extent  of     pic 
the  dog  kingdom  by  causing  the  hounds  to  pass      sh( 


CoLLUi 


those  who  desire  to  know  fundamen- 
tally the  history  of  the  canine 
races,  to  take,  as  their  first 
study,  the  hound,  whose  type 
we  find  almost  unaltered 
b<.)th  during  and  preceding 
the  Christian  era.  His 
lithe  form,  his  pointed 
head,  his  strong,  lean  legs, 
his  eyes  full  of  fire,  his 
small,  delicate  ears,  and  his 
very  deep  chest  show  him  at 
lance  to  be  a  dog  destined 
to  run  fast,  whether  we  judge  by 
representations  of  him  made  four  hun- 
dred years  before  Christ,  by  modern 
tures,  or  by  the  living  animal.  The  English 
)rt-haired   hound    (the   greyhound)    and    the 


German  Terrier 

(PlNCHER) 


English  Terrier  (  1kl,\.mj.vi.s) 


Dutch  Terrier 
(Smousje) 


at  full  gallop  before  us,  as  is  done  in  military  Arabian  hound  (the  slougi)  are  the  most  ancient 
reviews.  The  celebrated  race  of  St.  Bernards  types  we  possess  of  the  race.  The  latter,  espe- 
cially, imported   and   acclimated    in    the    Low 


■ 

SHI 

^                    JI^KVhi.  W<               \ 

Ti 

HI 

j^^^^^jdk^^.      < 

ife"^ 

P 

m^  - 

?^^M 

w 

*^Wv  A:  S^WV ' 

w 

m^mmm 

will  be  treated  separately,  and  the  blood- 
hounds will  elsewhere  show  us  their 
talents    as    detectives.     We    advise    all 


Scotch  Greyhound 


38 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Countries  some  years  ago  by  the  Dutch  painter 
Auguste  Le  Gras  de  Blaricum,  has  a  lean,  slen- 
der shape,  as  if  sculptured.  In  England  they 
train  their  best  greyhounds  to  course  in  the 
great  races  that  take  place  annually,  at  which 


Russian  Grevhouno  (  IJakzoi)  Leuedka 

is  won,  among  other  prizes,  the  Waterloo  Cup. 
Less  important  courses  are  nni  by  whippets,  — 
small  greyhounds  raised  here  and  there  among 
the  people  in  view  of  these  races. 

The  Scotch  hound  with  wiry  hair  (the  deer- 
hound),  which  formerly  hunted   the  deci    .iii«l 
is  now  found  chiefly  in  the  mountain- 
ous parts  of  Scotland  as  the  pleasure 
dog  in  the  castles  of  the  great  land- 
lords,  is  of   very  ancient   origin  and 
closely  allied  to  the  Irish  wolfhound, 
a  large  dog  with  rough  hair,  coarsel} 
built,  and   with   mastiff   blood   in   his 
veins.    In  Russia,  where  they  still  use 
these  long-haired  hounds  in  hunting 
wolves,  which  the  dogs  pursue  in  packs 
at   full  gallop,  the  animals  need  and 
have  strong  jaws  and  great  endurance. 
The  Russian  wolfhound,  properly  so 
called,  is  rather  more  refined,  has  wav- 
ing hair,  and  is  bred  in  Russia  under 
the  name  of  Barzoi.    In  France,  Eng- 
land,  Germany,   Holland,  and    America  he   is 
exclusively  a  pleasure  dog   and  in  very  many 
ways  is  the  most  graceful  representative  of  his 


race.  He  has  an  elegant  shape  and  is  e.\tremely 
cautious  towards  children  and  furniture,  etc. 
A  Barzoi  might  be  allowed  to  step  upon  a 
table  covered  with  precious  china,  and  not  a 
piece  would  be  broken.  Very  decided  in  mind 
as  to  what  does  not  please  him,  strong 
and  courageous  when  it  is  a  matter 
of  defending  or  protecting  his  master, 
the  Barzoi  is  an  excellent  watchdog 
and  a  safe  companion  for  bicyclists. 
The  Dutch  fanciers  have  imported  the 
best  specimens  and  are  raising  dogs 
that  are  worth  their  weight  in  gold. 

The  color  of  the  English  hound  is 
black,  brown,  fawn,  blue-gray,  white, 
or  spotted.  The  Scotch  hounds  with 
rough  hair  must  always  be  blue-gray, 
light  red,  or  buff,  without  other  tint, 
except  possibly  a  white  line  on  the 
chest,  though  even  this  is  not  desir- 
able. The  Barzoi  should  be  white, 
flecked  with  lemon,  gray,  or  some- 
times brown.  The  hair,  which  is  soft 
and  silky,  should  wave  along  the  flanks,  and 
even  be  curly  here  and  there,  especially  about 
the  neck.  Their  long  jaws  are  vigorous,  and 
their  intelligent  eyes  give  constant  pleasure 
bv  their  color  and  expression.  The  little  Ital- 
i.iii   'j.ivx  111  iini.l,  lircil    smIl-K-  tiir  |)lc;isiir'-,   is   t:ir 


Arabian  Greyhound  (Si.oui.i) 
from  equaling  his  congeners  in  courage  and  per- 
severance.   He  is  afraid  of  water,  shivers  when 
it  is  cold,  barks  when  he  is  out  of  humor,  and 


THE   DOG 


39 


is,  in  short,  a  parody  on  tlie  true  hound. 
By  the  Hght  that  shines  between  his  slender 
bones  we  can  see  the  small  modicum  of 
blue  blood  that  makes  him  the  scion,  the 
exhausted  scion,  of  a"  very  ancient  race. 

VI.   The  Breeding  of  Dogs 

We  have  already  seen  that  from  the  earli- 
est times  mankind  has  had  a  liking  for  dogs, 
and  greatly  to  the  advantage  of  those  ani- 
mals. It  is  probable  that  they  are  not  aware 
of  it  themselves,  but,  thanks  to  the  care 
Efiven  to  the  various  breeds,  their  exterior 
has  been  embellished  and  their  good  qualities 
and  usefulness  increased.  Their  fate  also  has 
been  made  easier,  and  dogs  ex-erywhere  now 
take  the  first  place  among  domestic  animals. 
This  is  true  throughout  Europe  and  our  own 
country,  and  although  in  certain  countries 
we  must  make  exception  in  the  case  of  dogs 
harnessed  for  draft  purposes,  whose  fate  is  far 
from  happy,  the  lives  of  these  domestic  ani- 
mals in  our  country  are  not  painful. 

At  first  the  object  of  mankind  was  to  get 
the  m(jst  use  out  of 
dogs,  whether  for 
hunting  or  sporting, 
but  of  late  fanciers 
have  applied  them- 
selves, with  great 
success,  to  increasing 
the  beauty  of  certain 
species   by    selection, 


St.  Hubert  Dogs 
Photo  J.  T.  Newman,  Berkhampstead 


A  SnoRT-H.AUtED  Greyhound 

guarding  as  much  as  possible  against  hurtful 
influences.  It  was  to  this  object  that  the  breed- 
ing of  races  owed  its  rise.  Owners  of  excel- 
lent dogs  took  pains  to  preserve  or  improve  the 
race  by  constant  and  methodical  breeding,  and 
thus  maintained  its  reputation.  It  is  notice- 
able that  breeding,  which  is  accjuiring  more  and 
more  of  an  international  interest,  should  have 
been,  and  still  remains,  in  the  hands  of  fanciers 
who  have  held  firmly  to  the  tiller.  Now  and 
then  there  come  to  the  surface  schemes  for  the 
"  breeding  of  dogs  of  all  species,"  which  have 
been,  and  still  are,  mere  efforts  to  get  a  liveli- 
hood, by  which  the  good  public  are  less  and 
less  taken  in.  These  "  breeding  establish- 
ments" —  in  other  words,  dog  shops  —  were 
jiromptly  shamed  when  they  put  their  melan- 
choly products  on  the  market ;  and  the  public, 
growing  wise  at  its  own  expense,  soon  learned 
the  advantage  of  buying  their  dogs  from  reli- 
able breeders.  Among  the  output  of  the  vari- 
ous corporations  of  fanciers  some  mongrel  blood 
may  still,  no  doubt,  be  found  ;  but  associations 
and  clubs  guarantee  the  honesty  of  their  trans- 
actions and  proceed  against  their  own  mem- 
bers for  any  improper  act. 

A  good  breed  of  dogs,  raised  with  care  and 
at  great  cost,  —  dogs  that  are  really  useful  and 


40 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


often  winners  at  bench  shows, — ought  to  sell  for 
a  just  price.  A  breeder  does  not  seek  to  make 
great  profits,  but  it  is  natural  that  he  should 
wish  to  cover  his  costs  fully.  If  a  dog  of  any 
kind  is  wanted,  without  regard  to  pedigree,  it 
is  well  enough  to  go  to  the  professional  dealer 
or  to  the  market ;  but  if  a  high-bred  dog  is 
desired,  one  on  whom  the  eye  can  rest  with 
pleasure,  who  has  a  good  chance  of  winning 
prizes  and  of  making  a  posterity  worth  double 
his  own  price,  then  the  purchaser  must  apply 
to  some  well-known  kennels. 

What  is  meant  to-day  by  a  high-bred  dog .' 
It   is   a  dog  which,   mated   with  another  that 
differs  from  him  only  in  se.x  and  belongs  to  the 
same    breed   as    himself,    can   produce    young 
which   are  in   all    respects    like   their   parents. 
The  type  of  the  race  is  characterized  by  the 
shape  of  the  skeleton,  particularly  of  the  skull. 
This  is  transmitted  from  generation  to  gener- 
ation, so  that  a  pair  of  dogs  of  the  same  breed 
can  produce  none  but  dogs  of  pure  race,  and 
could  not  themselves  be  of  pure  race  if  their  par- 
ents, and  their  predecessors,  had  not  belonged 
to  the  same  race.    In  dog  "  sport  "  (of  which  we 
shall  speak  later)  it  is  essential  to  have  a  genea- 
logical tree  of  seven  couples  of  ancestors  of  pure 
blood.    Considered  superficially,   the  breeding 
of    races  would   not   be  difficult   according  to 
this   theory.    Provided   Adam   and    Eve   were 
dogs  of  pure  blood,  the  rest  would  follow  of 
itself.   Practice,  however,  teaches  us  very  differ- 
ently.   The  breeder  must  intervene  continually, 
for  the  enigmatic  code  of  the  heredity  of  the 
animal  species  has  not  yet  been  made  clear. 
There  may  be  countercurrents,  and  pairs   of 
dogs  of   pure  race    may  have   young   that  do 
not  show  the  characteristics  of  their  ancestors. 
This  is   usually  seen   in   the   hair  and   in   the 
color.    There  may  also  be  degeneration  when 
things  have  been  left  to  chance.    In  that  case 
new  blood  must  be  infused,  which  is  sometimes 
borrowed  from  a  wholly  different   breed.    At 
the  end  of  a  certain  time  the  products  of  these 
crossbreedings  are  fit  to  propagate  a  pure  race. 
Besides  the  crossbreeding  of  different  spe- 
cies breeders  take  pains  to    propagate  a  sin- 
gle family  of  the  same  race  without  admi.xture. 


Crossbreeding  is  necessary  not  only  for  the 
refreshing  of  the  blood  but  also  for  obtaining 
new  breeds  ;  but  by  the  propagation  of  a  single 
family  certain  cjualities  and  shapes  are  obtained 
from  parents,  children,  and  grandchildren  in  a 
short  time,  and  more  constantl)'  and  surely. 
Nevertheless,  this  system  is  very  dangerous, 
for  the  constitution  of  these  animals  becomes 
impaired,  and  though  a  nobler  race  is  doubt- 
less obtained,  it  is  also  weaker  and  more  deli- 
cate, and  ends  by  disappearing.  Pairs  of  dogs 
are  not  multiplication  tables  ;  and  while  it  is 
true  that  by  the  repeated  mating  of  two  speci- 
mens of  high-bred  dogs  we  obtain  specimens 
still  more  magnificent,  yet  sviall  defects  and 
blemishes  are  multiplied  exceedingly. 

A  "  noble  "  dog,  however,  may  very  well  not 
be  the  product  of  inbreeding.  When  the  lines 
of  the  body  are  beautiful  and  the  body  itself 
muscular  and  well-proportioned,  the  legs  strong, 
the  countenance  energetic,  the  expression  in- 
telligent, the  stride  rapid,  and  the  color  and 
coat  pleasing,  a  dog  may  justly  claim  the  appel- 
lation "  noble."  A  dog  which  has  no  blood  can- 
not be  noble  ;  we  baptize  him  with  the  name 
of  "street  cur."  These  latter  form  the  great 
majority,  no  matter  what  care  and  what  cost 
are  expended  on  the  ennobling  of  the  canine 
races.  We  must  find  the  reason  of  this  fact 
in  the  general  ignorance  the  simplest  rules  of 
breeding,  and  of  the  best  means  of  bringing 
up  and  taking  care  of  dogs  and  making  them 
either  useful  or  agreeable.  Here  follow  some 
information  and  advice  on  those  subjects. 

VII.  The  Kennel 
A  wooden  box,  in  which  a  suitable  opening 
has  been  made,  turned  upside  down  upon  the 
earth,  may  serve  as  a  kennel.  A  barrel,  well- 
cleaned  and  purified  as  much  as  possible,  raised 
a  little  above  the  earth  and  supplied  with  a 
layer  of  straw,  is  also  a  cheap  dwelling  for  a 
dog.  We  still  see,  here  and  there,  these  primi- 
tive kennels,  and  dogs  seem  none  the  worse 
for  living  in  them.  On  the  contrary,  the  inhab- 
itant of  the  box  has  air  in  abundance  and  a  rain 
bath  gratis  ;  while  he  of  the  barrel  keeps  dry,  the 
joints  of  that  construction  being  impermeable. 


THE   DOG 


41 


But  these  hcuises,  even  if  adorned  with  a 
few  coatings  of  paint,  are  not  soHd  in  the  long 
run,  and  cannot  be  recommended  for  high-bred 
dogs.  A  good  kennel,  which  can  be  bought 
cheaper  (in  the  sense  of  being  solid)  than  if 
made  by  the  ablest  carpenter,  has  its  opening 
at  the  side.  It  should  be 
planned  thus  :  By  placing 
a  partition  ^,  as  a  wind 
screen,  the  dog  can  lie  in 
space  B  sheltered  fnjm  drafts.  The  space 
should  be  large  enough  to  allow  of  his  lying 
at  his  ease  behind  the  screen.  In  summer  /\ 
the  partition  can  be  removed,  and  if  the 
dog  is  still  hot,  he  will  know  enough  to 


t^ 


^^^^^^^^r     ■ 

A-'*'^  --'^^2 

H^-vit^ 

'>W 

come  out  of  the  kennel  to  get  air.     The  ^    ^ 
floor  may  be  of  planks,  but  it  must  always    ^^:?lii'^ 
be  possible   to  clean   it   with   water 
and  disinfectants.     Some  kennels 
are  detached  from  the  ground  or  tur 
back  on  hinges,  thereby  contributing 
much  to  cleanliness,  which  is  so  im- 
portant, especially  for  young   dogs. 
If  it  is  desired  to  prevent   the  dis- 
eases of  dogs,  disinfectants  should 
be  used  every  week  in  all  ken- 
nels, but  never  to  the  extent  of 
leaving  the  floor  damp.    Dryness 
and  a  layer  of  clean  straw,  sand, 


A  Kennel  of  P.ast  Times 


The  Model  Kennel 


or  any  peaty  substance  is  the  safety 
of  young  dogs.  A  layer  of  peat,  re- 
newed once  a  month,  and  covered 
with  a  layer  of  good  straw  fresh  every 


The  B.arrel  Kennel 

week  is  a  delightful  bed  for  all  kinds 
dogs.    Sawdust,  carpets,  and 
matting  are  less  advisable. 
It  is  well  for  dogs  to  have 
a  ])lace  outside  their  shelter, 
covered    whoU)'   or    in    part 
with  sand,   and   surrounded 
by  a  hedge  without   thorns 
or  sharp  edges.    It  should 
be  near  the  kennel,  and 
should  be  large  or  small 
according    to    local    cir- 
cumstances ;  it  should  be 
paved  in  part  with  stones  or  cement  and  pro- 
vided with  little  trenches  or  ditches.     It  might 
also  form  a  grassy  inclosure  in  the  garden  near 
the  house,  preferably  with  a  southern  exposure, 
but   partly  shaded.     Some   kennels  are   paved 
with  marble  and  have  water  running  in  trenches 
along  the  sides.     They  form,  with  a  separate 
building  for  the  gardener,  a  pretty  group,  but 
dogs  are  apt  to  be  ill  in  them. 
3ther  kennels  are  built  by 
members  of  a  family  in 
few   days ;    these    are 
simple  and  practical, 
the  animals  who  live  in 
them  are  healthy 
and  of  exemplary 
good  temper. 
In  kennels  of  a 
The  Same  Kennel  Wide  Open  certain    character 


42 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


Large  Kennels  seen  from  Withoi 

Photo  J.  T.  Newman.  Berkhanipstt^ad 


Large  Kennels  seen  from  Within 


and  size  the  dogs  are  almost 
always  provided  with  interior 
retreats  or  lairs  ;  these  must 
be  suitably  ventilated,  but 
protected  from  drafts.  It  is 
best  to  have  the  kennel  face 
the  south,  but  there  should 
also  be  a  shady  side  to  it, 
where  the  animals  could 
stretch  themselves  out  against 
the  railings.  The  space  be- 
tween the  rails  should  not  be 
too  wide,  lest  the  dogs,  espe- 
cially the  young  ones,  should 
get  their  legs  caught  in  them. 
All  kennels  should  be  dry, 
well  aired,  and  provided  with 
fresh  water.  The  gravel  of 
the  paths  is  apt  to  hurt  the 
toes  of  certain  dogs,  and  is 
uncomfortable  in  winter  from 
frost  and  snow.  The  water 
troughs,  which  are  in  or  near 
the  kennel,  ought  to  be  within 
easy  reach  of  the  dogs,  fresh 
water  being  an  indispensable 
necessity. 

It  is  not  well  to  put   many 
dogs  in  the  same  retreat  ;  and 


THE    DOG 


43 


it  is  best  to  separate  the  sexes  not  by  a  railing 

but  by  a  stone  wall,  through  which  they  cannot 

see  each  other.     In  large  kennels,  where  packs 

of  sporting  or  hunting  clogs  are  kept  (foxhounds, 

for  instance),  a  dozen  are  often 

put    together ;    but    in    such 

kennels   the  conditions  differ 

in  many  respects  from  those 

elsewhere.    It  is  curious  to  see 

and  hear,  once  or  twice  a  da\-, 

the    whole   pack   of  these 

hounds   give   a   sudden   bark 

without    apparent    cause.     A 

few  will  begin,  and  soon  the 

noise  (full  cry)  is  deafening  : 

then  it  ceases  as  suddenly  as 

it  began.     Each   set  of  dogs 

seems  to  know  not  only  its  own  name  but  the 

names  of  the  other  sets.    In  the  evening,  when 

the  dogs  return  in  charge  of  their  keepers,  the 

young  dogs  will  go  to  their  own  quarters  at 


Rkw.akdf.d 


the  command  "  Hounds  !  hounds  !  "  the  male 
dogs  enter  their  cjuarters.  The  training  of 
dogs,  especially  pointers,  is  always  admirable 
in  kennels  of  a  certain  size. 

N'lII.    Indispens.able  Arti- 
cles FOR  THE  Kennel 

Besides  the  ordinary  im- 
plements for  cleaning  there 
ought  to  be  in  every  kennel 
,  ^^^^^  plent_y  of  water  and  disinfec- 
A  ^^^^1  tants,  also  brushes,  combs, 
fl|^  ^^^H  and  leather  or  india-rubber 
gloves.  These  articles  should 
be  kept  in  some  fixed,  clean 
place  apart,  for  it  often  hap- 
pens that  servants  will  use 
them  for  all  sorts  of  purposes  for  which  they 
were  not  intended.  If  the  kennel  is  large,  it  is 
easy  to  make  a  place  for  them  ;  and  if  there  is 
plenty  of  room,  the  food  of  the  dogs  —  biscuit, 


L.ARDER    KOK    KlCNNELS 

the  call  of  "Pups!  pups!"  Next  follows  the  meat,  eggs,  bone  dust  —  and  some  medicaments 
summons  of  "  Ladies,  come  in  !  "  and  all  the  may  also  be  kept  there.  The  biscuit  must,  of 
females  press  in   to   their   retreat.     Lastly,  at      course,  be  kept  dry,  the  meat  protected  from 


44 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


flies,    and    the    whole    larder   made    safe   from 
attack  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  kennel. 

The  wardrobe  of  dogs,  great  and  small,  has 
its  place  in  the  kennel.    First,  there  is  the  collar 


Do<i    WITH    A    KuRTII.VL  S    Col.L.^K 

that  the  dog  wears  when  he  takes  a  walk.  The 
simpler  it  is  the  better.  Nevertheless,  on  a 
black  poodle  a  colored  or  nickel-plated  collar 
shows  to  better  ad\'antage  than  a  black  leather 
strap  ;  and  a  lady's  pet  with  a  rope 
round  his  neck  is  not  as  much 
admired  as  if  he  wore  a 
colored  cravat.  It  is  on 
record  that  an  Italian 
greyhound  was  so  over 
come  with  envy  at  see- 
ing his  brother  with  a 
silver  collar  that  he 
committed  suicide. 
Dogs  may  wear  old 
collars  in  their  kennels, 
and  it  is  even  desirable 
that  they  should,  because 
in  washing  and  brushin 
them  these  precious  adorn- 
ments are  easily  spoiled.  Wc 
recommend,  especially,  flat  or  round 
leather  collars,  of  which  one  end  goes 
through  a  buckle  which  tightens 
round  the  neck  when  pulled  upon.  They  are 
absolutely  necessary  at  bench  shows.     There 


is  a  kind  called  the  Korthal's  collar,  after  its 
inventor,  who  is  known  in  all  countries  for  his 
improvements  in  the  breed  of  wiry-haired  sport- 
ing dogs.  This  collar  tightens  as  the  dog  pulls  ; 
but  not  beyond  a  certain  point,  thanks 
to  its  metal  rings.  In  training  dogs 
several  kinds  of  collars  must  be  used, 
as  we  shall  see  farther  on. 

Chains,  straps,  and  ropes  deserve 
more  attention  than  is  usually  given 
them.  A  solid  but  light  chain,  with 
two  or  three  movable  rings,  is  indis- 
pensable, especially  for  bench  shows; 
but  they  are  necessary  in  other  cases 
also,  some  dogs  having  the  habit,  when 
fastened  by  leather  straps,  of  gnawing 
themselves  loose. 

Nevertheless,  it  is  well  in  taking 
the  dog  to  walk  that  the  owner  shall 
not  seem  chained  to  his  beast,  or  vice 
versa.  A  strong  strap,  with  hooks, 
neither  too  long  nor  too  short,  is  there- 
fore more  useful.  Two  dogs  can  be  trained  to 
walk  side  by  side  by  means  of  a  coupling,  but 
in  any  case  straps,  chains,  and  cords  ought  not 
to  be  used  unless  circumstances  compel  it ;  for 
a  walk  with  a  dog  fastened  to  you  is 
but  half  a  pleasure  to  the  dog 
and  often  none  at  all  to  you. 
When  the  animal  is  very 
young,  or  when  he  is  not 
yet  used  to  the  collar 
and  chain,  he  will  not 
allow  himself  to  be 
led,  and  will  often  stop 
short  in  the  road. 
Attention  must  then 
be  paid  to  the  collar, 
for  every  such  dog  will 
try  to  slip  his  head  out 
of  what  he  considers  an 
instrument  of  torture  and 
scamper  off.  Gentle  words,  much 
patience,  and,  above  all,  persever- 
ance will,  after  a  time,  produce  the 
desired  effect.  On  the  first  occasion 
of  going  out  with  a  led  dog  it  is  best  to  choose 
a  quiet  road.     Old  dogs,  who  do  not  mind  the 


Extra  Wide  Lulla 
FOR  Bulldogs 


Pi  i'>  !    I 'I  !■>  ! 


"  Ladies,  come  in  !" 

Photo  J.  T.  Newman.  Berkhampstead 


46 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


A   Walk  with  a  Dm;  on  a  Chain  is  often   iu't  Half  a  Plfasikl 


collar  and  chain,  often  retain  the  disagreeable 
trick  of  jnilling  forward  with  such  force  that 
the  promenade  becomes  mere  dragging,  —  a 
fatigue  and  not  a  pleasure.  Dogs  cannot  be 
given  too  many  walks,  especially  in  the  country. 
They  learn  to  understand  the  will  of  their 
master  and  end  by  obeying  the  slightest  sign. 


Choose  between  Ml  and  your  Machine 


Every  infraction  ought  to  he  punished,  at  tirst 
b\-  words  and  then  by  actions.  If  the  dog 
lingers  behind  and  does  not  come  promptly 
at  the  first  call  or  whistle,  he  should  be  fas- 
tened at  once  to  the  chain.  When  he  is  too 
busy  with  his  congeners,  or  when  he  runs  off 
too  far,  the  same  punishment  should  follow 
iiinncdiatcly  upon  the  fault. 

Another  habit  of  which  it  is  very  difficult 
to  break  a  dog  is  that  of  wallowing  in  the 
mud.  This  is  probably  a  relic  of  the  habits 
of  his  ancestors  or  an  inheritance  from  the 
wild  dog,  but  it  is  none  the  less  annoying.  It 
is  said  that  if  a  decoction  of  cabbage  is  given 
to  them  with  their  meals  they  will  lose  the 
habit,  but  people  say  a  great  many  things,  and 
natural  habits  are  hard  to  change. 

In  bicycle  riding  a  dog  is  certainly  a  good 
escort  on  lonely  roads,  but  in  other  respects, 
both  for  dog  and  cyclist,  it  is  only  a  half 
pleasure.  Actual  torture  is  sometimes  seen. 
Greyhounds,  certain  terriers,  and  a  few  large 
dogs    can    accompany   a    cyclist    without    too 


THE   DOG 


47 


much  fatigue  ;  but  to  take  a  basset  hound,  a 
bulldog,  a  collie,  or  a  St.  Bernard  on  a  rapid 
trip  is  injurious  to  the  animal  and  distressing 
to  his  owner.  A  short  trip  on  a  summer's 
afternoon  in  the  park  or  half  an  hour  into  the 
country  will  not  harm  any  dog,  whereas  a  long 
and  rapid  run  injures  both  his 
heart  and  his  lungs.  "  Choose 
between  me  and  your  machine," 
says  the  dog,  and  he  is  perfectly 
right 

It  is  also  injurious  to  send  a 
dog  out  twice  a  day  on  the  chain 
with  a  servant,  —  in  the  morning 
when  the  milkman  is  at  the  door, 
in  the  evening  when  the  maid 
goes  to  market.  In  the  morning 
Turk  or  Mimi  will  want  to  make 
acquaintance  with  his  or  her  con- 
geners of  a  doubtful  kind  ;  in  the 
evening  it  is  the  maid's  acquaint- 
ance who  makes  the  promenade 
disagreeable  to  the  dog. 

Go  out  yourself  with  your 
dogs  ;  feed  them  yourself ;  con- 
vince yourself  daily  that  they  are  cared  for  as 
you  desire,  —  these  are  some  of  the  rules  that 
every  owner  of  dogs  should  inscribe  in  gilt 
letters  on  his  kennels.  Above  all,  carry  the 
food  yourself  to  your  dogs  ;  animals  accustom 
themselves  and  attach  themselves  most  to 
those  who  feed  them. 

IX.    C.\RE  AND  Food 
It  is  very  difficult  to  say  what  is  the  best 
food  to  give  to  dogs.     The  harness 
dogs,  for  instance,  who  never 
get  anything  but  bread  and 
potatoes,  continue   i 
good    health    while 
doing  hard   work 
Some    are    fed 
solely  on  biscuit 
made  of  flour 
mixed    with    a 
certain     quan- 
tity of  minced 
meat,    fish,    or 


other  substances  ;  these  dogs  also  do  well  and 
are  healthy.  For  kennels  of  a  dozen  dogs  or 
more  it  is  ]irudcnt  to  ci)nk  broth  at  home,  and 
to  gi\'e  to  the  best  dogs  great  quantities  of  dog 
biscLiit.  Biscuit  is  also  very  convenient  for 
those   who  have   onlv   one   or   two  dogs,  as  it 


A(:kf.f..af.lf,  Pko.mknadf.  for  the  Dog 

merely  requires  to  be  broken  up  and  Sf)aked,  or 
it  can  be  bought  broken  up.    Thus  dry  food  in 
sufficient  quantity  is  at  hand  at  all   times.    It 
is  necessary,  however,   to  be   sure   of  a  good 
dealer,  who  will  supply  fresh  biscuit  from  the 
best  manufacturers,  who  prepare  their  product 
with  the  utmost  care.    Many  brands  of  adulter- 
ated biscuit,  made  of  refuse  of  all  kinds,  are  now 
on  the  market.     To  certain  dogs  who  cannot 
bear  meat,  excellent  fish  biscuit  may  be  given 
now  and  then.    It  is  best  not  to  give 
it   dry,  though  all   dogs,   espe- 
:ially   young   ones,   ought 
have  hard  food  often 
in   order   to    cleanse 
and    strengthen 
their  teeth. 
It  is  not  bad  to 
vary    the   food 


with  rye  bread, 
brown  bread, 
and  occasion- 
ally vegetables. 


Mil.     Fl.l.DINti    OF    Do(iS 


48 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Young  dogs  should  be  given  much  milk,  with  their  work.     Horse    flesh,    beef,    and    mutton 

or  without  water,  and  sometimes  a  little  whey,  are  good  for  them,  provided  the  meat  is  fresh 

What  is  left  fmm  the  table  or  from  restaurant  and    not   fat.      In   the   great   kennels   broth    is 

dinners,  like  moistened  crusts,  sour  potatoes,  often  made   of  calves'   heads  and  feet.     Rice 


the  skins  and  heads  of  fish,  and  such  things  as 
we   hear  people   say,    "  Oh  !    the   dog  will  eat 
that,"  are  certainly  swallowed  by  him, 
but   the  results  are  diseases 
the  skin  or  of  the  intestines 
ulcers   in   the    throat,  and 
bills  from  veterinaries 
If  a  dog  will  not  eat 
potatoes  without  sauce, 
give  him  no  food  until 
his  stomach  begins  tn 
crave  it.     Al-    r 
ways    give   a 
dog  less  than 
his   stomach    , 
demands.    To    j 
be    kept    in    ,^,„„,, 
good  health  a 

dog  should  never  turn  from  his  plate  till  he  has  their  own  bony  structure  ;  they  bury  a  bone  to 
licked  it  clean  with  pleasure.  When  he  leaves  make  it  tender,  but  it  sometimes  happens  that 
any  food  upon  it,  it  is  a  sign  that  he  has  eaten  a  hard  bone  is  thrown  to  a  puppy,  and  this  is 
too  much.  Two  meals  a  day  are  sufficient,  —  always  injurious.  What  the  dog  needs  to  find 
one  cold  in  the  morning,  and  the  other  hike-      now  and  then  on  his  diet  list  is  grass — just 

warm  in  the  afternoon.    T'ii|       li    nil        m  ' 'I '  "<>i|^' ^^B^  ' "   g'rass.     He   often   goes   in 

be  fed    three   or   four    times 
a  day,  and  they  ought  to  ^,   ' 
have    twice    as    much 
milk    as    vegetables 


N  sAr.l-i     Ai;  I  II  I 


is  an  excellent  food,  and  mixed  with  codfish  is 
a  favorite  winter  food  for  dogs  that  are  not 
pampered.  From  time  to  time  a  little 
cod-li\'er  oil  (which  can  be  ob- 
tained in  biscuit  form)  puri- 
fies the  blood  and  gives 
a  luster  to  the  coat. 
Over  the  food  of  young 
dogs  and  those  nearly 
adult  a  pinch  of  phos- 
]ihated  lime  or  pure 
b  (1  n  e  d  u  s  t 
should  be  scat- 
tered. Dogs 
like  to  gnaw 
tender  bones, 
which    help    to 


FOR  Tin:  Ki.nm:l  .\m>  \\',\i;ii 


1).J(,S 


Strengthen 


Food  should  nevei 
be  hot,  for  a  dog 
dislikes    as    much   ^ 
as  a  man  to  burn 
his   tongue,  but  he 
is     not     cautious 
enough    to    refrain 
from  gulping  down  a  half 
boiling  mess. 

Every  dog,  being  born  carniv- 
orous, ought  to  have  meat ;  but 
it  is  impossible  to  fix  the  exact 


search  of  it  himself,  and  eats 
■     it  like  a  famished  cow. 

Once  a  month  he  must 
1  le  made  to  take  a 
vermifuge  mixed 
with  his  milk  and 
given  preferably 
j  when  he  is  fasting 
A  vermifuge  in  bis- 
(  uit  form,  a  teaspoon- 
ful  of  calomel,  or  any  of 
J  ^j.'^'  the  vermifuges  ad\-ertised 
m  the  papers  do  good  service 
when  the  ailment  is  merely  earth- 
worms, wdth  which  nearly  all  dogs 
are  troubled,  just  as  they  are  by 
quantity  he  should  receive  without  considering  threadworms.  Visible  emaciation  and  the  rub- 
his  form  and  the  conditions  under  which  he  bing  of  the  hind  parts  on  the  ground  show  the 
lives.  Draft  dogs  and  hounds  which  hunt  and  presence  of  these  mischief-makers.  But  dogs 
course  ought   to  have   meat   in   proportion  to      can  have  other  species  of  worms  that  may  be 


A    Doc,    olHiHl"   TO    K-Al    Willi 

Pleasure 


THE   DOG 


49 


dangerous  to  man.  They  must  absolutely  be 
prevented  from  licking  plates  and  dislies  used 
in  the  kitchen,  or  any  utensil  used  for  was/iitig 
the  face,  especially  that  of  a  child.  After  each 
vermifuge  a  dose  of  castor  oil  should 
be  given,  in  a  quantity  propor 
tioned  to  the  size  of  the 
animal,  befrinning  with 


a  teaspoonful  and  in 
creasing    until    the 
maximum  of  a  tabli-- 
spoonful  is  reached. 

Here  is  anothci 
piece  of   serious 
advice  to  those  who 
have  young  dogs  : 
never  fatten  them.    The 
Chinese  and  some  tribes   of 
negroes   in   Guinea  consider  ddi; 

flesh  a  delicacy,  but  as   long  as  it      j^^  ought  never  to 
does  not  appear  on  the  dinner  lists    have  too  much  to  eat 
of  America  there  is   no  object  in 
giving  dogs  excessive  nourishment,  which 
undoubtedly  shortens  their  lives. 

The  care  given  to  dogs  for  bench  shows 
differs  considerably,  as  we  shall  see  later,  from  j 
that  which  they  receive  in  private  families. 
Among  the  latter  external  care  is,  unhappily, 
so  neglected  that  the  animals  finally  acquire 
skin  diseases,  which  make  them  objects  of  dis- 
gust to  every  one,  and  they  exhale  an  odor 
which  is  very  hard  to  remove.  All  dogs  which 
a  family  desires  to  keep  in  good  health  (for 
their  own  sake  as  well  as  the  dog's)  should  be 
freed  at  least  once  a  week  from  dust  and  all 
other  impurities  that  have  collected  on  their 
skin  and  in  their  hair.  This  ought,  by  rights, 
to  be  done  daily,  and  it  is  not  a  really  difficult 
matter,  with  leather  gloves  and  a  good  brush. 
A  few  strokes  of  the  brush  in  the  direction  in 
which  the  hair  lies  will  suffice  to  give  another 
aspect  to  the  coat  of  a  short-haired  dog.  Long- 
haired dogs  must  be  combed  after  massage  with 
the  gloved  hand.  The  dead  hair  should  be  care- 
fully removed.  During  the  period  of  shedding 
the  hair  it  is  wise  to  proceed  carefully,  as  the 
skin  is  very  sensitive  at  such  times.  All  combs 
and   brushes  used  upon  the  animal   should  be 


cleaned  at  once,  and  preferably  with  a  disin- 
fectant. Besides  dust  and  dirt  the  hair  of 
a  dog  frequently  hides  vermin,  but  if  he  is 
cleaned  daily  he  will  have  few  or  none. 

It  is  not  bad  to  wash  and  bathe  dogs, 
though  this  is  often  done  to 
excess.    They  may  be 
allowed  to  swim  from 
time   to   time,   but 
there  is  a  great  dif- 
ference   between 
swimming  and  a 
bath    for    cleanli- 
.    ness.   A  dog  should 
have  a  bath   once  a 
month,  and  should 
then  be  luet  to  the  skin. 
After  rubbing  him  well  with 
soap  and  warm  water,  every  particle 
of  soap  must  be  rinsed  off  and  the 


dog  allowed  to  shake  himself  vigor- 
ously.   He  should  then  be  dried  with 
towels  and  taken  on  the  chain  for  a  short  walk  ; 
if  this  is  not  done  he  almost  always  takes  cold, 
or  else  he  goes  and  dries  himself  against  a  dirtv 


A  Good  Combing 


50 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


wall  or  in  the  sand.  Baths  are  quite  injurious 
to  the  hair  of  collies  and  to  Russian  hounds 
with  long  waving  hair.  Those  dogs  should  be 
rubbed  with  equal  quantities  of  magnesia  and 
rice  powder  mixed,  which  should  previously  be 


CuMK    OKF    THK    Dk.AD    HaIR 

thoroughly  dried.  A  chamois  skin  and  a  little 
oil  in  the  palm  of  the  hand  contribute  much  to 
keeping  the  coat  smooth. 

There  are  all  sorts  of  domestic  remedies  for 
fleas  and  other  vermin,  but  the  best  and  most 
lasting  results  are  obtained  from  the  medica- 
ments put  forth  by  the  best  manufacturers.  To 
permit  a  dog  to  swim  as  much  as  he  likes  is  a 
good  and  easv  wa\-  of  cleansing  the  skin;  on 
the  other  hand,  we  disapprove  of  the  mania 
some  persons  have  of  making  dogs  take  cold 
baths  in  ponds  and  rivers  against  their  will, 
especially  since  such  baths  are  usually  too 
short  to  produce  any  cleansing  effect. 

Proper  care  of  the  skin  and  coat  will  give  a 
healthy  dog  a  brilliant  exterior,  which  together 
with  a  greater  vivacity  and  gayety  distinguishes 
him  at  a  glance  from  a  neglected  dog ;  while 
at  the  same  time  he  will  lose  the  disagreeable 
trick  of  scratching  and  biting  himself,  and  will 
no  longer  e.xhale  an  odor. 

The  hair  of  a  dog  being  his  natural  cloth- 
ing, he  needs  no  other  fur  in  winter.  Neverthe- 
less, there  is  a  whole  wardrobe  of  garments  for 
dogs  ;  and  dressmakers  in  London,  Paris,  and 


New  York  do  a  good  business  by  making 
them.  Traveling  cloaks,  evening  cloaks,  jackets 
for  the  carriage,  waterproofs,  and  even  india- 
rubber  boots  find  purchasers  of  both  sexes 
Shirts  for  dogs,  monograms  embroidered  on 
their  garments,  visiting  cards,  etc.,  form 
part  of  this  branch  of  industry.  There  is 
a  shop  in  the  Galerie  d'Orleans,  in  Paris, 
where  Grand  Duke  Michael  of  Russia  is 
one  of  the  best  customers,  and  where  the 
Khedive  of  Egypt  once  ordered  for  a  little 
dog  an  incroyablc ;  in  other  words,  an  over- 
coat with  velvet  lapels.  The  Comtesse  de 
Paris,  the  queen  of  Portugal,  and  Prince 
W'aldemar  of  Denmark  all  order  their  dog's 
clothing  at  the  same  place ;  but  it  goes 
without  saying  that,  excepting  delicate  grey- 
hounds, no  dog  needs  to  be  clothed,  and 
they  had  better  be  left  to  their  natural 
L;arments. 

Pornierl\-  the  great  hounds  that  were 
sent  against  big  game  were  protected  by 
a  sort  of  cuirass.  This  is  seen  in  a  picture 
b)'  Rubens,  in  the  Belvedere  of  Vienna,  and  also 
in  the  gallery  of  the  Duke  of  Coburg.  This 
covering  had  a  useful  purpose,  protecting  the 
dog  from  the  bites  of  boars  and  bears.  But 
the  feebler  animals  of  our  day  never  dream  of 


Toilet  C<3.Nn'i.F:TED 

fighting ;   they  crouch  to  earth  and  tremble  in 
their  collars  if  a  grunt  is  heard. 

When  _\'ou  see  two  dogs  fighting  and  biting 
each  other  don't  break  your  cane  over  their 
backs,  but  pinch  the  nose  of  the  top  dog  or 


THE   DOG 


51 


grip  his  throat,  shpping  your  stick  through  his 
collar.  He  will  let  go  immediately  for  want  of 
air.  But  if  you  are  the  one  the  dog  has  bitten, 
send  at  once  f<.)r  the  doctor. 

X.  Birth  and  Early  Youth 

If  a  person  owns  a  well-bred  female  dog  and 
desires  to  reproduce  the  breed,  or  if  he  owns 
a  male  and  desires  to  have  pups  which  later 
will  have  a  money  value,  let  him  never  lose 
sight  of  the  following  maxim  :  "  Marry  gold 
to  gold  or  silver  to  gold."  The  male  and  the 
female  can  never  be  too  good.  The  selection 
should  be  left  to 
an  e.xperienced 
breeder,  taking 
care  to  put  in 
writing  the  condi- 
tions of  the  trans- 
action. 

When  the  time 
comes  for  the 
pups  to  be  born 
the  mother  should 
be  kept  in  perfect 
repose.  For  some 
weeks  previous 
she  should  not  he 
allowed  to  take 
fatiguine:    walks 


M.\  1  ITvNAI.   C.VRES 


or   to  jump   and 

bound.  A  place  should  have  been  already 
prepared  for  her,  apart  from  the  other  dogs. 
It  is  best  not  to  put  too  much  straw  in  it,  or 
the  pups  cannot  be  dried  fast  enough  by  the 
mother's  licking.  The  mother  will  choose  for 
herself  the  best  side  of  the  kennel  or  barn.  It 
is  well  that  she  should  be  habituated  to  the 
place  some  time  in  advance,  or  it  might  happen 
that  her  new  residence  would  not  please  her, 
and  then,  at  the  last  moment,  an  an.xious 
mother  will  give  birth  to  her  pups  in  some 
unexpected  place  which  may  be  injurious  to 
them.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  nature  ought 
to  be  left  to  itself,  but  the  present  system  of 
breeding  has  put  many  dogs  into  a  state  that  is 
unnatural.  It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that 
some  mothers  crush  their  progeny,  or,  in  the 


agitation  of  the  moment,  do  not  know  what  to 
do  with  the  wet  and  whimpering  pups  ;  and 
thus  whole  litters  are  sometimes  lost.  It  is 
not  superfluous  to  take  precautions. 

Among  other  precautions  a  large  box  or  case 
should  be  provided,  with  vertical  partitions  about 
six  inches  high,  where  the  mother  can  give  birth 
to  her  young.  In  it  should  be  laid  a  second 
wooden  floor,  carefully  planed,  with  small  holes 
pierced  through  it,  by  which  the  ni<.)isture  can 
drain  off.  This  floor  should  be  covered  with 
peat  dust.  There  should  also  be  four  trans- 
versal laths  placed  along  one  interior  side  of 

the  box,  under 
which  the  pups 
can  lie  without 
danger  of  being 
pressed  upon  by 
the  mother. 
These  laths  must 
not  have  sharp 
edges  that  might 
w  (.)  u  n  d  the 
mother's  breast. 
If  the  weather  is 
cold  an  empty 
sack  or  a  piece  of 
old  carpet  might 
be  nailed  over  the 
opening,  which 
arrangement  is 
always  excellent  to  close  a  dog's  retreat,  because 
it  excludes  cold,  and  yet  the  animals  can  easily- 
pass  in  and  out  by  pushing  aside  the  portiere. 

Nature  has  provided  that  the  mother  can 
feed  all  the  offspring  that  she  brings  into  the 
world  ;  but  our  system  of  breeding,  no  doubt 
unintentionally,  has  put  a  spoke  in  her  wheel, 
and  very  large  litters  are  nearly  always  a  fail- 
ure. The  strongest  of  the  newborn  quickly 
choose  the  best  places  under  the  mother's 
teats,  and  push  aside  the  weaker  ones  ;  so  that 
when  the  litter  is  large  some  of  the  pups  get 
little  nourishment,  while  others  get  none  at  all, 
and  die.  It  is  quite  a  risk  to  leave  six  with  the 
mother.  Breeders  usually  try  to  leave  four  or 
five.  The  best  and  strongest  can  soon  be  dis- 
covered ;    but   in  every   litter  there   is   usually 


52 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


a  laggard,  which  remains  small  and  feeble  even      off  matters  which  they  have  in  their  bodies,  and 


when  adult.  A  mother  can  suckle  ten  at  a 
time,  but  the  anatomical  construction  of  her 
breast  gives  a  smaller  relative  production  of 
milk  than  is  the  case  with  any  of  the 
other  domestic  animals,  which 
alone  is  reason  enough  to 
limit  the  number  of  pups 
If  the  mother  is  a  ven' 
valuable  dog,  a  substi- 
tute is  found  for  her 
after  a  time;  and 
advertisements  often 
appear  in  the  news- 
papers, to  the  great 
amusement  of  those 
who  know  nothing  of 
dogs,  soliciting  the  serv 
ices  of  a  "wet-nurse 
bitch."  An  attempt  has  been 
made  to  manufacture  an  artificial 
nurse,  consisting  of  an  apparatus  in 
which  the  pups  are  kept  warm  and 
supplied  with  nursing  bottles  of  warm 
milk.  Some  pups  are  brought  up  on 
the  bottle,  but  the  mother's  milk  is  so  efficacious 


You.xG  Mastiffs 

Photo  J.  T.  Newman, 
Berkhampstead 


which  ought  to  disappear  as  soon  as  possible. 

Mothers  who  are  very  young  give  birth  at 
first  to  few  pups.    Their  litters  become  larger 
till  their  fourth  year,  when  they  begin 
to  diminish.    During  the  period 
if  suckling  the  mother  shfiuld 
iven  food  that  is  easy 
to  digest,   and   in  which 
there  is  much  white  of 
egg,  grease,  and   salt, 
which  serve  to   make 
milk   for   the   young 
lines.  A  broth  of  flesh, 
with  much  warm  milk 
and  rice,  makes  e.xcel- 
ent  nourishment  for  the 
nursing  mother.    At  the 
end  of   five  or  six  weeks 
meat   can  be  given  to  her, 
either    cooked    or    raw,    minced 
fine,  with  bread    and,   if  necessary, 
biscuit.    Salt  must  not  be  forgotten, 
nor  phosphated  chalk,  nor  bone  dust 
to  strengthen  the  bones. 
If   the  weather   is  warm,   the    pups  can  be 


from    the   birth  of  the  little  ones   that   art  is  taken  out  of  the  bo.x  on  the  fifth  day  and  put 

found  powerless  to  equal  nature.     It  is,  in  fact,  in    a   basket.    The    bo.x    should    then  be  thor- 

absolutely  necessary  that  the  pups  should  suck  oughly   cleansed.    At   the   end   of   eight   days 

thefirst  drops  from  the  mother's  breast,  because  the  young  dogs  begin  to  open  their  eyes  and 

that  milk,  watery  in  appearance,  contains  sub-  try  to  creep ;  by  the  fifteenth  day  they  can, 


stances  which  warm  them  internally  and  carry 


Young  B.asskt  Hhunds  —  Gekm-\n 


though  very  awkward!}-,  lap  milk  from  a  dish 
or  a  plate.  The  milk,  however,  should  be  mixed 
with  water  or  limewater.  Weaning  must  not 
begin  till  after  the  fifth  week.  The  mother 
will  tr_\'  to  fulfill  her  nursing  duties  as  long  as 
possible  ;  but  if  the  pups  are  fed  during  her 
absence  from  them  (which  ought  to  take  place 
four  or  five  times  a  day),  the  difficulty  will 
soon  be  overcome.  If  the  little  creatures  are 
fed  at  first  on  milk,  broth,  cod-liver  oil,  or 
biscuit  prepared  for  young  pups,  they  will 
soon  take  these  things  as  their  regular  food. 
Rut  they  should  be  fed  several  times  a  day  in 
small  quantities,  and  not  all  at  once,  in  which 
case  they  will  be  likely  to  stuff  themseh'es  to 
their  ears,  to  the  great  detriment  of  their  health 
and  well-being. 


THE    DOG 


53 


The  place  where  the  pups  live  must  be 
often  cleansed  and  disinfected,  as  they  are  far 
from  cleanly  themselves.  The  habit  of  cleanli- 
ness  must   be  taught  to  each  puppy,  one  by 


Hdw  TO  Lift  a  Youno  Dog 

one  ;  they  will  not  learn  it  in  a  body.  In  lift- 
ing young  dogs  they  should  never  be  taken  by 
the  neck,  but  always  under  and  round  the 
body  by  both  hands. 

They  will  soon  become  the  victims  of  fleas, 
which,  in  spite  of  all  efforts,  do  infest  all  ani- 
mals. The  pups  must  be  washed  carefully, 
but  no  disapproval  of  the  use  of  tobacco  water 
or  turpentine  can  be  too  severe.  Neither  is  it 
well  to  use  kerosene,  which  will  destroy  no  more 
fleas  than  careful  washing.  Dotzer's  Cream  of 
Parasites  is  now  the  universal  remedy  against 
these  pests  ;  it  is  also  a  preventive  of  eruptions 
of  all  kinds. 

XI.    Old  Age 

Dogs  are  in  their  prime  when  three  or  four 
years  old.  Until  their  si.xth  year  they  are 
strong  and  healthy ;  after  that  they  decHne, 
and  a  dog  that  is  eight  years  old  is  regarded 


by  his  kind  as  an  old  fellow.  At  ten  he  is 
really  an  old  dog,  and  though  he  may  live  a 
few  years  longer,  the  usual  life  of  the  domestic 
dog  lasts  only  ten  or  eleven  years.  The  great- 
est age  on  record  is  that  of  a  spaniel  who  lived 
to  be  twenty-si.x  years  old.  It  is  remarkable 
how  old  dogs,  especially  those  who  have  given 
proofs  of  perspicacity  through  life,  retain  their 
intellectual  faculties  to  the  last.  Leibnitz  de- 
clared that  these  animals  never  wholly  die ; 
and  according  to  the  Scandinavian  mythology 
the  dog  is  the  messenger  of  death. 

On  the  other  hand,  in  our  matter-of-fact 
epoch,  a  dead  dog  is  dead  ;  and  the  first  thing 
to  do  is  to  take  the  body  of  that  friend  of 
man  and   bury  it.     Dead   dogs  are  sometimes 


H(i\v  .NOT  T(i  Lift  Hni 

thrown  into  the  water,  where  they  float  among 
the  reeds,  and  swarms  of  flies  and  mosquitoes 
disseminate  germs  that  are  certainly  injurious 
and  even  poisonous.  The  proper  way  of  pre- 
venting this  would  be  to  burn  all  bodies  of 
animals  ;  but  so  long  as  the  cremation  of  man 
makes  slow  progress,  that  of  animals  will  be 
slower  still.    We  must,  therefore,  bury  them, 


THE   DOG 


55 


and  whatever  we  may  think,  it  is  the  best  way 
for  the  present.  There  are  cemeteries  for  dogs 
in  London,  Paris,  and  Amsterdam.  Many  a  tear 
has  been  shed  in  those  cemeteries  where  lies  the 
old  and  faithful  friend  of  the  family,  who  has 
shared  its  joys  and  sorrows  ;  and  where  the 
sporting  dog,  the  joy  and  comfort  of  the  sports- 
man, sleeps  his  last  sleep.  Persons  have  some- 
times laughed  both  at  and  in  those  cemeteries  ; 


exaggeration ;  but  the  simple  burial  of  the 
domestic  dog  is  less  shocking,  especially  for 
the  children,  than  his  consignment  to  the  ma- 
nure heap. 

XII.     The  Usefulness  of  Dogs 

If  it  were  asked  by  which  of  the  dog's  gifts 
or  organs  mankind    has    chiefly    profited,   the 

__     answer  undoubtedly  would    be  scent, — flair. 

we  leave  it  to  our  readers  to  judge  whether  or      Hunting  and    sporting  dogs  of  all    kinds  are 
not  they  have  cause  to  do  so.  proof  of  this,  and  bloodhounds,  which  of  late 

The  burial  of  dogs  dates  far  back.  Among  have  been  again  much  talked  of,  will  probably 
the  ancient  Mexicans  they  were  buried  in  the  render  much  service  in  future  to  the  laws  and 
tombs  of  their  deceased  mas- 
ters, and  the  same  was  done 
on  the  death  of  children,  be- 
cause, according  to  their  ideas, 
those  faithful  friends  would 
help  the  little  ones  to  find 
their  way ;  while  our  advanced 
civilization,  that  knows  so 
much  better,  casts  them  into 
the  manure  pit.  There  have 
been  exceptions  to  this  rule, 
however.  In  Celebes,  the 
largest  of  the  Molucca 
Islands,  they  are  buried  to 
improve  the  soil,  and  thus 
continue  their  services  to 
man.  Frederick  the  Great 
caused  tombs  to  be  built  for 
his  hounds  at  Sans  Souci,  and 
numerous  are  the  monuments 
that  have  been  raised  to  the 


A  Distinguished  Member  of  the  Hr.M.^NE  Society 


memory  of  dogs.    Alexander  the  Great  built  the  police.   Up  to  this  time  the  employment  of 

a  town  in  memory  of  one  of  these  friends,  and  bloodhounds  (r/«V;w c/f  Saint Hiibert)\xv  England 

Sergius,  Patriarch  of  Constantinople  from  608  has  been  merely  tentative.   Thanks  to  his  scent, 

to  639,  decreed  that  the  anniversary  of  the  death  the  bloodhound  is  well  fitted  to  follow  a  human 

of  his  dog  Arzibur  should  be  kept  annually  as  trail,  and  they  have  been  used  for  this  purpose 

a  day  of  mourning.     Lately  a  well-known  dog  in  America  with  such  brilliant  results  that  it  is 

named  Syras  (by  Prince  Charles  of  Denmark,  reall\-  surprising  that   the  European  continent 

now  king  of  Norway,  after  an  English  actor)  has  not,  as  yet,  attempted  to  get  this  service 

died  in  London  and  was  buried  at  Scarsdale,  from  them.     Trained  to  the  work,  these  dogs 

his  head   resting   on   a   cushion  of   flowers  in  will  indicate  where  the  person  wanted  is  to  be 

a  rosewood  coffin.     A  procession  of  f(jrty  per-  found,  without  doing  him  the  slightest  harm, 

sons  in  automobiles  followed  him  to  the  ceme-  They  must  not  be  confounded  with  ferocious 

tery,  where  a  fine  monument  is  now  in  process  bloodhounds  sent  in  pursuit  of  negroes,  about 

of   erection.     All    that,   undoubtedly,  is  sheer  whom  all  sorts  of  exaggerated  tales  have  been 


56 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


German  I'ciijm    i  ' 

told.  There  is  now  a  club  for  the  de- 
velopment of  these  hounds  and  their 
congeners. 

The  law  could  profitably  use  these 
animals  in  certain  cases,  and  they 
might  be  given  to  the  police  as 
watchers  and  companions.  In  remote 
quarters,  where  only  two  police  agents 
can  be  employed,  a  dog  would  answer 
well  as  a  reenforcement,  and  would  be 
cheaper  than  a  man.  In  fact,  in  Ham- 
burg, Stuttgart,  Leipzig,  Brunswick, 
Oldenburg,  and  Strasburg  the  police 
have  dogs.  In  Paris  the  police  have 
a  brigade  of  life-saving  Newfound- 
lands, who  are  particularly  fitted  and 
used  for  rescuing  persons  from  the 
Seine.  In  Austria  the  attention  of  the 
authorities  has  been  drawn  to  such 
use  of  these  animals,  while  at  Zurich, 
Ghent,  and  Rotterdam  they  now  form 
part  of  the  police  force. 

It  is  difficult  to  decide  which  race 
or     breed     is     best    fitted    for    such 


purposes.  Lovers  of  the  shepherd  dog  favor  that  race ; 
breeders  of  terriers  (which  have  already  done  good 
service  with  the  armies)  recommend  them  highly.  In 
any  case  the  dog  must  be  dark  in  color,  not  too  small, 
courageous,  hardened,  not  pampered,  and  possessed  of 
a  keen  scent.  There  are  places  on  certain  frontiers 
where  the  customhouse  officers  employ  dogs  with  great 
success  in  tracking  smugglers.  On  the  other  hand,  it 
often  happens  that  the  dog  helps  the  smuggler  by  car- 
rying prohibited  merchandise  across  the  frontier  with 
caution  and  great  rapidity. 

War  dogs,  introduced  of  late  into  armies,  never  miss 
the  roll  call.  The  Scotch  shepherd  dog  and  the  Aires- 
dale  terrier  have  been  found  most  suitable  for  both  cam- 
paign and  ambulance  use.  They  do  incalculable  service 
in  seeking  for  the  wounded  among  bushes  and  under- 
growth, where   the  poor  fellows  escape  the  eye  of  the 


Docs  OF  THE  River  Brig.ade,  P.aris 


Hi.ooniioL'Nii^  ;  Tin-:  Qi'AHKV  is   Founi) 


A  Brigade  of  Life-Saving  Dogs  organ-izko  hv  M.  Lepine,  Prefect  of  Police  at  Paris 


58 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Red  Cross  but  not  the  nose  of  the  dog.  They 
are  trained  to  bring  rehef  and  food  to  the 
slightly  wounded,  and  to  carry  cartridges  along 


square,  the  nose  thick,  the  ears  small  and  car- 
ried high,  the  color,  preferably  dark.  The  legs, 
with  catlike  paws,  must  be  strong,  the  chest 
well  rounded,  the  back  broad  and  straight,  and 
the  tail  pendent.  Both  varieties,  the  short 
haired  and  the  long  haired,  should  measure  at 
least  twenty-six  inches  to  the  shoulder  for  the 
males  and  twenty-five  for  the  females.  The 
color  may  be  all  shades  of  red  to  brown,  with 
the  collar,  chest,  feet,  and  tip  of  tail  white.  The 
catlike  shape  of  the  feet  enables  the  animal  to 
walk  on  the  snow  without  sinking  deep,  which 
would  lessen  his  chance  of  saving  life.  Obviously 
these  C|ualities  are  of  use  only  on  a  mountain. 

Every  one  remembers  the  legend  of  Barry, 
the  most  famous  of  all  the  St.   Bernard  dogs, 
who,   in  the  seventeenth  century,  saved  hun- 
Germ\n  War  Dog  dreds  of  lives  on  the  Alps.     It  was  said   that 

this  faithful  animal  was  killed  by  a  w'ounded 
the  lines  and  dispatches  to  the  generals  ;  they  soldier,  who  thought  he  was  about  to  attack 
are  also  trained  to  warn  the  outposts  at  night  him,  whereas  the  dog  was  really  trying  to  pull 
(without  barking)  of  an  intended  surprise.  him  from  the  edge  of  a  precipice.    This  touch- 

At  the  hospital  on  Mount  St.  Bernard 
a  race  of  dogs  has  for  centuries  been  kept 
to  rescue  travelers  who  have  lost  their  way. 
The  manner  in  which  this  was  done  in  past 
years,  when  there  were  many  more  foot 
passengers  than  at  present,  has  been  too 
often  described  to  need  repetition  here  ;  it 
is  enough  to  say  that  along  the  route  at 
regular  intervals  there  are  "  refuges,"  now 
connected  with  the  hospital  by  telephone. 
The  dog,  accompanied  by  a  monk,  carries 
the  traveler  to  one  of  these  shelters,  and 
no  longer  needs  the  traditional  little  key 
around  his  neck. 

The  St.  Bernard  dogs  on  the  mountain 
of  that  name  do  not  present  the  imposing 
appearance  of  their  congeners  as  seen  in 
the  bench  shows  of  the  present  day.  The 
care  and  study  given  to  the  breeding  and 
improvement  of  the  race  have  been  admir- 
able. While  in  England  and  America  breed- 
ers have  chiefly  paid  attention  to  size,  and 
have  wandered  from  the  original  type,  those 
of  the  continent  of  Europe  have  striven  to  pre- 
serve the  pure  blood  of  that  type  as  much  as  because  of  old  age,  and  sent  to  the  museum 
possible.    The  head  should  be  heavy,  the  muzzle      where  he  was  stuffed  and  may  still  be  seen. 


St.  Bkrn.ard  (Gerjian  Type) 
ing  tale  is  false,  for  Barry  was  killed   in  1S17 


THE    DOG 


59 


In  the  ranks  of  the  use- 
ful dogs  we  must  place 
the  draft  dog,  though  it 
is  more  than  doubtful 
whether  the  structure  of 
this  animal  is  fitted  to 
draw  vehicles.  It  is  cer- 
tain, however,  that  they 
render  incalculable  serv- 
ices by  drawing  the 
sledges  of  the  inhabitants 
of  northern  regions  and 
those  of  explorers  who 
travel  to  the  Pole.  M. 
Fridtjof  Nansen  wrote  to 
us  recently  as  follows  : 

"The  dogs  of  the  Eski- 
mos and  those  of  Siberia 
can  easily  do  ninety  miles 
a  day.  In  fine  weather 
they  will  run  without  stop- 
ping for  four  or  five  hours, 
and  each  dog  can  draw  a 

weight  of  three  hundred  and  twenty-five  pounds. 
The  sledge  dog,  or  'narta,'  is  relatively  light,  but 
vigorous.  The  runners  of  the  sledge,  over  which 
water  is  poured  from  time  to  time,  forming  a 
smooth  coat  of  ice  half  an  inch  thick,  glide  with 
rapidity  over  the  snow.  None  but  male  dogs  at 
least  three  years  old  are  used  for  this  purpose. 


St.  Rerxaki) 
Special  photo  from  the  convent 

For  the  leading  couple  the  best  dogs  are  chosen  ; 
these  are  followed  by  si.x  other  couple,  guided 
by  means  of  a  stick  five  feet  long  and  by  the 
voice  of  their  driver.  The  life  of  travelers, 
also  the  conveyance  of  the  post  throughout 
northern  Siberia,  depend  entirely  on  these 
dogs.    Consequently  they  are  carefully  treated 


A  Splendid  Lot  of  St.  Bernards 


6o 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Over\vr(iu(;ht  Draft  Drx; 


and  fed.    They  cannot  be  compared  with  those  There  is  more  humanity  in  the  attempts  that 

martyred  draft  animals  that  we  see,  ill  harnessed      have  been  made  to  utilize  the  dog  in  various 
and  ill  fed,  in  more  than  one  civilized  land,"  industries.     Sometimes  the  end  of  a  telephonic 

The  Belgian  draft  dog,  a  model  of  strength  cord  is  put  into  his  mouth,  and  he  climbs  the 
and  health^  makes  an  exception  to  the  above  pole  with  it,  thereby  saving  much  labor.  At 
charge.     Any   one    who   has    seen    these   dogs      other  times  he  turns  the  crank  of  the  churn,  for 

which  the  old-world  peasant  woman  gives  him 
a  good  lump  of  liver  as  a  reward. 

At  a  printing  press  in  Plymouth  a  dog 
named  Gipsy  turns  a  wooden  wheel  that  sets 
the  press  in  motion  ;  he  takes  pleasure  in  his 
work  and  is  much  more  regular,  and  also 
cheaper,  than  men  employed  in  the  same  labor. 
We  must  not  forget  to  put  in  the  class  of  use- 
ful dogs  those  who  take  care  of  the  blind.  There 
was  one  who  for  years  attended  his  mendicant 
master  at  one  of  the  London  railway  stations, 
and  collected  alms  enough  to  make  the  poor  man 
comfortable.  Later  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank 
carrying  round  milk  and  vegetables  in  Brus-  of  assistant  railway  guard,  because  he  always 
sels  must  have  been  struck  with  the  superiority  announced  to  the  station  master  by  a  short 
of  their  harness  over  that  used  in  the  Low  bark  the  approach  of  a  train. 
Countries   and   elsewhere.     Holland,   however,  In  short,  the  usefulness  of  these  animals  is 

is  beginning  to  take  more  interest  in  the  fate  great  and  does  not  cease  with  their  lives,  for 
of  draft  dogs  ;  and  a  society  has  recently  been  many  are  the  kid  gloves  and  the  true  clianiois 
formed,  establishing  a  tariff  of  distances  and  leather  portfolios  that  are  cut  out  of  his  skin,  — 
rewarding  owners  who  can  show 
ofood  care,  good  harness,  and 
good  carts.  We  can  only  ap- 
plaud such  effort  to  put  an  end 
to  the  martyrdom  of  draft  dogs. 
It  is  admitted  that  the  large 
herbivorous  animals  are  more 
fitted  to  draw  and  to  carry  than 
the  carnivorous  animals.  The 
shape  of  a  dog's  foot  is  unfavor- 
able to  traction  ;  nor  can  a  dog's 
chest  stand  the  effort,  and  a  col- 
lar is  martyrdom  to  him.    Their 

natural  way  of   lorogression  is 

,  A  Fine  Team 

somewhat  oblique,  and  the  hind 

feet  never  step  in  line  with  the  front  ones.    The  unless,  indeed,  it  has  already  been  used  to  make 

back  is  strong  to  leap,  but  not  to  pull,  and  above  beautiful  heads  of  hair  for  dolls,  or  a  charming 

all  not  to  carry.    Their  shoulders  are  more  de-  set  of  furs. 

tached  from  the  body  than  those  of  the  horse.  ^^^^     ^^^^  ^^,,^,^,.  of  Dogs 

And  yet,  in  spite  of  these  objections,  the  dog 

has  been  made  a  draft  animal  in  many  of  the  Nearly  all  dogs  lend  themselves  readily  to 

European  countries.  training  ;   there  are  only  a  few  very  backward 


'MmffTWiir'''^'''''''''''^''''^'-'^' 


Dogs  of  thi-;  Customs  Service  at  Roubaix 


Ready  to  Start 


62 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


individuals  who  do  not  soon  learn  their  lessons 
by  heart.  Thus,  for  example,  we  can  teach  a 
simple  domestic  dog  not  to  take  anything  from 


|-»sw3-.«r      ~^0T 


L  LMiiMUDL  si:  Oiiii:i;ks  and  tiu;ik  Dc 

the  left  hand  by  offering  him  a  certain  number 
of  times  something  in  a  spoon  held  between 
the  thumb  and  forefinger  of  that  hand,  and 
then  tapping  him  on  the  nose  with  the 
other  end  of  the  spoon  when  he  tries  to 
take  what  is  in  it.  If  we  repeat  the 
same  thing  with  the  right  hand  and  gi\e 
him  the  dainty,  speaking  caressingly, 
he  will  learn  veiy  quickly  to  know  the 
difTerence ;  and  even  if  the  hands  are 
crossed,  he  will  know  which  is  which. 

If  a  dog  has  his  basket  in  a  certain 
room,  he  must  never  be  allowed  to  seek 
a  lair  elsewhere,  and  he  should  be  taught 
not  to  leave  his  basket  at  every  noise. 
He  ought  to  follow  his  master  when  he 
leaves  the  house,  and  not  rush  out  in  his 
joy,  often  between  the  legs  of  the  passers. 
His  master  can  teach  him  to  walk  after 
or  beside  him  by  walking  thus  regular!) 
up  and  down  a   room  daily  for  a  c|uartcr 
of  an  hour.     If  the  dog   persists   upon 
running  before  your  feet,  step  upon  his  toes, 
calling  out,   "  Back  !  "     Animals   always  learn 
by  experience,  which  is  more  than  can  be  said 
of  human  beings. 


Sporting  dogs  of  all  kinds  are  subjected  to 
a  much  more  severe  discipline  ;   it  is  sometimes 
necessary   to   use   a    spiked    collar,    while    the 
trainer   must   possess   a  patience 
equal  to  any  test.    The  sportsman 
must  be  absolutely  sure  that  his 
orders  will  be  precisely  executed  ; 
consequently  a  plan  of  precise  in- 
struction should  be  carefully  laid 
out  in  advance,  as  the  training  of 
sporting  or  hunting  dogs  requires 
perpetual   repetition  of  what  has 
been  taught  and  learned,  with  im- 
mense caution  not  to  spoil  the  dog. 
An  animal  is  easily  frightened  by 
rough  words  and  the  use  of  the 
whip  at  the  wrong  moment.    He 
soon   loses   all   confidence    in   his 
master  if  he  receives  blows  on  the 
slightest  occasion.    An  angry  or 
a  thoughtless   man  may  obtain  a 
servile  submission  by  striking  his 
dog  on  the  head  or  nose,  but  he  will  never  bring 
him   to  learn  willingly  or  to  take  pleasure  in 
obeying  him.    This  fault  is  committed  hundreds 


.\\   .\kui;st 

of  times  by  the  masters,  which  shows  how  dif- 
ficult it  is  to  punish  a  misdemeanor  justly  and 
firmly,  but  no  farther.  We  are,  moreover,  ab- 
solutely convinced  that  more  can  be  obtained, 


THE  DOG 


63 


always  and  everywhere,  by  rewards  rather  than 
by  punishments.  A  firm  oral  order,  expressed 
each  time  in  the  same  words,  accompanied  by 
the  same  movement  of  the  hand  or  arm,  is 
certain  to  be  efficacious.  One  of  our  dogs 
always  stopped  short  if  we  raised  our  hand 
slightly  without  saying  a  word.  Even  when  a 
turn  of  the  road  hid  us  from  his  sight,  he  re- 
mained in  the  same  place  ;  but  he  lay  down, 
which  showed  some  uneasiness  of  mind. 

A  dog  is  easily  taught  the  simplest  tricks, 
such  as  jvmiping  over  a  stick  or  through  a  hoop, 
by  offering  him  a  dainty  with  the  stick  or  hoop. 
High  jumps  are,  however,  injurious  to  the  artic- 
ulations and  also  to  the  lungs  of  young  or  small 
dogs.  When  a  dog  has  seriously  hurt  himself 
in  doing  one  of  these  tricks  he  (very  wisely) 
will  never  attempt  it  again.  Dogs  that  are 
trained  for  gymnastic  performances  in  public 
go  through  a  long  and  laborious  process,  the 
details  of  which  it  is  useless  to  give  here. 
Firmness,  infinite  patience,  kindness,  and  en- 
couragement more  than  punishment  are  still  the 
secrets  of  success.  To  the  true  lover  of  dogs, 
however,  such  exhibitions  are  far  from  being 
a  pleasure,   wonderful  as   they   are 

Nothing  is  easier  than  to  teach 
the  d(jmestic  dog  certain 
things,  such,  for  instance 
as  shutting  the  door.  A 
piece  of  meat  should  be 
held  against  the  open 
door,  high  enough  for  him 
to  reach  it  when  standing- 
upright  on  his  hind  legs. 
When  he  touches  it  the 
door  swings  to,  and  at  the 
same  moment  the  teacher 
says,  "  Shut  the  dtx.ir."  With 
a  little  patience  the  dog  is  scxm 
taught  to  go  to  the  door  and  shut  it 
at  a  simple  word  of  command.  A 
number  of  such  little  things  can  be 
taught  to  an  obedient  dog,  but  he  will  never 
do  them  with  pleasure  and  good  will  unless  he 
is  continually  with  his  master  and  understands 
his  looks  and  signs.  Allow^ed  to  be  away  from 
home  all  day,  he  will  lose  interest  in  these  tricks. 


It  is  in  some  such  way  that  a  dog  is  taught 
to  "fetch," — a  lesson  so  important  for  some 
sporting  dogs,  requiring,  as  it  does,  so  many 


Larkfll 

OF   G 


Kl..Ali\     111    OHEV    OkuEKS 

preliminary  exercises.  At  the  word  of  com- 
mand, "  fetch,"  every  young  dog  will  seize  very 
eagerly  a  ball  or  a  handkerchief  thrown  to  a 
certain  distance.  Will  he  bring  it  back  }  It  is 
exactly  here  that  we  must  proceed  with  much 
patience  and  reflection.  In  the  first 
place,  the  distance  ought  to  be 
short  and  the  dog  should  be 
fastened  to  a  long  string. 
A  still  better  way  is  to 
make  him  sit  before  you 
holding  articles  (not  too 
light)  in  his  mouth,  and 
make  him  drop  them  at 
the  word  of  command. 
Later  he  can  be  trained 
ti)  pick  up  such  articles  at 
distance  and  bring  them 
lack  at  the  command.  Much 
success  has  come  from  using  a 
piece  of  wood  provided  with  small 
weights  at  each  end,  which  can  be 
taken  off  or  put  on  by  means  of  a 
peg,  so  that  the  article  can  be  weighted  at  will ; 
the  wood  should  have  small  transverse  pieces 
to  keep  it  from  lying  flat  on  the  ground,  thereby 
making  it  more  difficult  for  the  animal  to  pick 
up.     Sporting  dogs,   trained   by  the   excellent 


IJK1N(.KR 


64 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


method   of   Oberlander,  have  always  received      never  have  the  strength  of  a  circus  dog,  who 
their  first  lessons  with   this  article.  can  balance  himself  on  a  bottle  or  on  a  man's 

If  persons  play  with  an  animal  and  neglect      head,  make  the  "perilous  leap,"  turn   somer- 
to  use,  very  precisely,  the  different  commands 
and   gestures   to  which   he   is  accustomed,  he 
will  soon  perceive  that  the  th 
not  serious,  and  their  influence 
upon  him  will  be  k 
children  play  wi 
young  dog  that  is  be 
trained,   and  mak 
him   fetch    things 
without    t  a  k  i  n  y 
them    and   without 
praising  him,  that 
dog   will    never 
answer    readily   to 
a  command.   Sever- 
ity, exactitude,  and 
patience  are  the  con 
ditions  of  success, 
is  not  necessary  tf)  whi] 
a   dog ;    at    most,    a    slight 
touch    with   a   switch    may    be 
given  in  case  of  ill  will  or  negli 
gence.    The  dog  understands  per- 
fectly a  stern  reprimand  or  a  shake 
given  to  the  rope  ;  if  he  does  not 


Ch.vrc.ixo,  AFTKR   r.RINfi 
ixfi  IT  H()>u-: 


saults,  dance,  shoot,  and  ride  a  bicycle  as  if  he 
ad  never  done  anything  else.    All  this  seems 
tremely  difficult,  as  in  fact  it  is  ; 
credit   belongs   to  the 
er  only,  to  his  patience 
I   his  judgment.     It   is 
rue  that  he  chooses  the 
most  intelligent  dogs, 
oftenest  poodles,  but 
the    innumerable 
lessons  which   in- 
evitably   precede 
exhibition   are 
essential.    The  dog 
may  not  possess  in- 
tellect, so  called,  but 
he  has  a  good  memory 
d  a  strong  love  for  a 
game.     The  routine  once 
acquired,    the    exhibition, 
which  should  always  be  done  in 
[jrecisely  the  same  order,  lest  the  dog 
be  bewildered,  is  sure  of  success. 

A  few   years   ago    the    Bertrand 

brothers  of  Paris  had   a    little   dog 

named  Papillon,  who  could  speak.     In  France 


understand,  it  is  useless  to  go  on  training  him 
Pets  and  small  fry  of  that  kind  are  incapable  and  in  other  countries  journalists  worthy  of  all 
of  being  taught  to  fetch.  They  can  merely  do  confidence  related  the  fact,  which  they  them- 
the  pretty  thing,  —  give  a  paw,  pretend  death,  selves  had  witnessed.  The  questions  addressed 
etc.  Sporting  dogs,  on  the 
contrary,  are  useful;  they 
will  search  for  lost  objects,  n(j 
matter  how  small  they  are, 
and  find  them  among  bushes 
or  in  sand.  "  Seek  !  Lost  I  " 
is  enough  to  start  a  well- 
trained  dog  on  a  search  at 
once.  Nevertheless,  to  reach 
this  result  and  to  make  the 
animal  couch  before  the  game 
when  the  shot  is  fired  requires 
many   months   of    training 

according  to  fixed  rules.  Pleasure  dogs  can  be  to  the  little  animal  were  :  "Who  am  I  .?  Do  you 
taught  to  limp,  to  fetch  the  newspaper,  and  to  love  me  .?  What  did  the  people  shout  when  the 
perform    other   similar   tricks  ;    but    they    will      Russians  came  ?    Which  is  the  largest  building 


Playing  Chf.ss 


THE  DOG 


65 


A  Spdki  im,    I j 


in  Paris  ?  Can  you  count  ?  "  The  answers  were 
said  very  clearly  though  a  little  haltingl)'.  The 
clog  could  pronounce  seventy  words.  At  the 
close  of  the  exhibition  he  always  said, 
"Adieu,  Messieurs  !  "  Marvelous 
as  it  was,  careful  examination 
showed  that  there  was  no 
ventriloquism  in  it.  There 
was  one  fact,  however, 
which  we  ought  not  to 
omit,  to  save  any  would- 
be  imitators  of  M. 
Bertrand  from  disap- 
pointment: Papillon's 
performances  occurred  at  the  time  of  the  "  silly 
season  "  in  journalism,  —  a  fact  which  may  not 
be  precisely  in  his  favor. 

The  training  of  watchdogs,  police  dogs,  war 
dogs,  and,  in  general,  of  all  those  dogs  required 
to  perform  special  services  demands  infinite 
patience  and  perseverance  in  making  the  ani- 
mal go  over  and  over  again  what  he  has  learned, 
with  as  little  punishment  as  possible.  Watch- 
dogs are  sometimes  taught  to  attack  persons 
at  the  word  of  command.  This  is  very  danger- 
ous and  cannot  be  too  highly  disapproved  ;  it 
has  already  caused  many  misfortunes.  The 
training  is  done  by  putting  a  straw  figure 
behind  a  fence  or  hedge  ;  the  figure  is  moved 
by  a  servant,  and  when  it  is  made  to  jump  the 
hedge  the  door  is  opened  and  the  dog  is  taught 
to  spring  upon  it  and  hold  it.  But  in  some 
cases  he  bites  ;  and  if  the  order  is  given  has- 
tily, or  if  it  is  not  fully  understood,  accidents 
happen.  This  proceeding  should  never  be 
taught  to  any  but  old  dogs  whom  we  can  abso- 
lutely trust, —  dogs  who  do  not  run  much  at 


large  and  are  perfectly  safe  among  their  own 
surroundings.  It  is  well  to  state  here  that  if 
a  dog  comes  at  you  with  an  evident  inten- 
tion to  attack  and  bite,  it  is  dangerous 
to  defend  yourself  with  a  cane  or 
umbrella,  which  will  onl\'  make 
him  more  furious.  If  you 
want  to  save  the  calves  of 
your  legs,  it  is  better  to  let 
him  bite  the  cane  or  the 
umbrella,  and  hit  him 
with  your  fist  as  hard  as 
you  can  on  the  nasal 
bone.  He  will  let  go 
immediately  and  run  away. 

While  giving  dogs  good  habits  it  is  well  to 
break  them  of  bad  ones.     Many  dogs  will  gnaw 


>L1/1.    I  AL  lliiLM.V 


Charging  after  the  Shot  is  fired 


Rl-.TRIKX  lN(i    KKliM    THIC    Rl\  l-.K 

furniture  and  carpets,  but  this  annoyance  will 
cease  if,  from  time  to  time,  they  are  given 
bones  to  gnaw.  They  should  be  sternly  for- 
bidden to  lie  on  chairs  and  sofas.  This  can  be 
prevented  at  night  by  laying  the  chairs 
on  their  sides  and  putting  hard  things 
on  the  sofa.  A  dog  who  begs  at  the 
table  is  also  very  annoying.  He  ought 
not  to  be  allowed  to  enter  the  room  dur- 
ing dinner,  or,  if  he  is,  should  be  tied  in 
some  corner  that  belongs  to  him.  The 
leaps  he  makes  in  his  joy  at  going  out 
with  his  master  are  often  prejudicial  to 
the  coat  and  trousers  of  the  latter,  espe- 
cially in  rainy  weather.     It  will  usually 


66 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


A   Difficult    Ff.at  which 
REQUIRES  Loxci  Practice 


Circus  Training 

suffice  to  take 
him  by  the  two 
front  paws  and 
make  him  walk 
backward  on 
his  hind  paws. 
That  will  cure 
him  of  his  de- 
sire to  leap  upon 
you  in  future. 

XIV.  Bench 
Shows  and 

Co.MPETITIONS 

Bench  shows, 
which  are  really 
a  subdivision  of 
six)rt  with  dogs, 
are  among  the 
most  important 
things  for  a 
breeder.  That 
which  attracts 
or  ought  to  at- 
tract    thither 


the  amateur 
breeder  is  not 
so  much  the 
chance  of  car- 
rying off  prizes 
as  the  honor 
and  satisfaction 
of  seeing  them 
won  b)' animals 
he  has  bred 
himself. 

The  first 
canine  bench 
show  took  place 
in  1859  at  New- 
cast  1  e  -  u  p  o  n  - 
T3ne.  Although 
f)nly  pnin ters 
and  setters  were 
shown,  it  was 
an  exhibition 
very  superior 
ti>  the  dog  sales 
hitherto  organized  by  dealers  at  the  inns,  where 
visitors  (mostly  coachmen)  did  business  and 
drank  brandy  together.  In  i  S60  the  great  bench 
show  at  Birmingham  took  place  ;  this  was  fol- 
lowed by  many  others,  not  very  large  ones,  it 
is  true,  but  held  under  the  stern  control  of  the 
English  Kennel  Club  and  the  best  known  ex- 
perts, who  now  make  a  business  of  it  and  form 
the  jury  of  awards.  The  great  English  bench 
shows  —  those  of  the  said  club,  for  instance  — 
last  three  days  and  are  attended  by  thousands 
of  paying  visitors,  who  can  thus  review  from 
one  thousand  to  fifteen  hundred  dogs. 

In  France  the  first  bench  show  took  place 
in  May,  1863,  at  the  Jardin  des  Plantes. 
The  committee  was  formed  of  the  members 
of  the  Jockey  Club,  and  the  cost  of  the  show 
was  paid  by  subsidies  from  the  railways,  the 
city  of  Paris,  and  Baron  Rothschild.  The  prizes 
given  amounted  to  three  thousand  dollars, 
which  was  certainly  a  good  send-off.  Later 
there  were  several  shows  eveiy  year.  Those 
which  are  now  held  in  France,  usually  lasting 
three  days  and  devoted  to  different  races  of 
dogs,    are   considered   among    the    best.     The 


THE    DOG 


67 


last  great  Parisian  show,  which  was  organized      for  instance),  prove  that  these  dog  shows  are 
by  the  Socictc  Centralc,  toot;  in  daily  receipts      not  for  the  mere  amusement  of  dog  fanciers, 
of  more  than  twenty-five  hundred 
dollars.    Germany  has  not  remained 
behind,  and  several  of  its  cities  have 
had  very  successful  shows,  lasting 
two  or  three  days.    Belgium,  thanks 
to  its  Royal  Society  of  St.  Hubert 
and  other  clubs,  organizes  in  sum- 
mer very  important  shows,  to  which 
are  sent   magnificent   specimens 
which  attract  much  interest  in  other 
countries.     The   United   States   is 
not  backward,  either,  in  the  num- 
ber  or  the   quality  of    her    bench 
shows,  which  are  now  annual  affairs 
in  many  of  our  large  cities.    But  it 
is  generally   admitted   and  agreed 
that  Holland  takes  precedence  of 
all  other  countries  in  the  organiza- 
tion   of    shows,    the    arrangement, 
preparation,  and  administration  of 
which    (striking    an    outsider  with 
amazement)  are  taken  as  models  by 
other  countries.    Annual  shows  are 
organized  in  Holland  by  the  differ- 
ent clubs,  and  a  body  of  excellent 
Dutch  experts,  who  are  often  in- 
vited  to  other  countries   to  judge 
of   indigenous   races   (the   German 
watchdogs,    the    Russian   wolf- 
hounds, and  the   English   mastiffs.  Conscious  of  his  \'ictorii:s 


68 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Dog  trying  to  cross  the  FKoxntR  with 
Contraband  Goods 

but  that  serious  studies  of  a  scientific  nature 
are  also  made  there. 

To  the  uninitiated  a  dog  show  has  some- 
thing disconcerting.  The  deafening  racl<et, 
the  swarming  of  dogs  and  men , 
the  enigmatical  placarding  ot 
prizes,  the  long  inspections,  are 
bewildering  and  hard  to  under- 
stand. In  consequence  of  the 
division  into  "open  classes" 
(meaning  those  in  which  all 
dogs  may  compete),  "  limitetl 
classes "  (for  those  who  have 
already  won  a  number  of  first 
prizes),  and  "young  classes," 
a  dog  may  carry  off  a  first  prize 
in  one  class  and  obtain  only  an 
H.  M.  (honorable  mention)  in 
another  class,  which  certainly 
makes  the  placarding  very 
puzzling. 

The  estimate  of  a  dog  is 
sometimes  very  difficult,  espe- 
cially when  two  superb  speci- 
mens   are    competing   for    the 


prize,  which  is  sometimes  a  medal  or 
money,  but  oftener  some  fine  work 
(jf  art.  It  is  difficult  also  to  satisfy 
the  owners  (who  are  very  susceptible 
even  about  trifles).  It  is  not  yet 
decided  whether  the  system  of  three 
experts  would  give  better  results,  or 
whether  it  would  be  wise  to  return 
to  the  old  scale  of  points  and  figures. 
There  is  much  to  be  said  on  both 
sides,  but  it  is  certain  that  the  tastes 
and  ojiinions  of  experts  give  rise  to  dif- 
ferences that  are  sometimes  far  from 
agreeable  to  the  owners  of  the  dogs. 

Are  bench  shows  injurious  to  the 
animals.'  No;  not  if  they  are  well 
organized  and  under  the  auspices 
nf  a  serious  club.  Dogs  are  well 
treated,  visited  by  veterinarians,  fed 
and  transported  carefully,  and  re- 
turned in  good  health  to  their  homes. 
On  their  return  it  is  prudent  to  wash 
them  with  some  suitable  disinfectant, 
though  at  all  good  bench  shows  dogs  are  now 
disinfected  very  carefully.  Dogs  under  three 
months  old  are  too  young  to  be  sent  to  these 
exhibitions. 


A  Promisino  Young  Dog 


THE   DOG 


69 


Besides  the  prizes  in  medals, 
money,  or  works  of  art,  the  title 
of  "champion"  can  beobtained, 
though  of  course  such  distinc- 
tion is  awarded  only  to  stars  of 
the  first  magnitude.  The  late 
Queen  Victoria  gave  a  cross  to 
a  dog  (not  exhibited),  and  that 
decoration  was  no  other  than 
the  famous  Victoria  Cross.  It 
was  given  in  1879,  after  the  war 
in  Afghanistan.  The  dog  (his 
name  was  Bob)  made  the  cam- 
paign with  the  second  regi- 
ment, the  Royal  Berkshire,  and  was  wounded. 
His  portrait  appears  in  the  celebrated  picture  of 
"The  Fight  of  the  Last  Eleven  at  Maiwand." 
A  dog  named  Jack  also  received  the  Victoria 
Cross  for  saving  several  lives  at  the 
battle  of  the  Alma.  Jerry,  another 
dog  of  the  Crimean  War,  received  a 
medal  and  a  dinner  from  the  city  of 
Dublin. 

The  transportation  of  dogs  to  all 
bench  shows  should  be  made  in 
baskets,  securely  fastened,  or,  better 
still,  in  light,  well-ventilated  cases,  in 
which  water  can  be  supplied  to  the 
animal  without  the  necessity  of  open- 
ing the  case  or  basket.  A  dog  can 
travel  two  or  three  days  without  e.xtra 
food,  but  he  must  have  fresh  water  supplied 
to  him  at  various  stations.  Though  a  dog  should 
never  be  fastened  in  his  traveling  case  or  bas- 


Decor.ated  with  Ch.ampiox's 
Cross 


followed,  especially  in  southern 
Germany,  correspond  some- 
what to  the  runs  of  fox  terriers 
organized  in  France,  —  in  the 
Bois  de  Boulogne,  for  instance, 
—  which  always  excite  great 
interest.  In  Belgium  some  peo- 
ple amuse  themselves,  though 
more  or  less  in  secret,  by  send- 
ing fox  terriers  against  rats 
which  are  shut  up  in  cages  and 
are  killed  in  a  moment  by  one 
bite  of  the  dog.  The  trial  of 
shepherd  dogs,  who  are  made 
to  chase  before  them  a  given  number  of  sheep 
on  a  given  space  or  road,  is  of  a  more  peace- 
ful character,  but  not  less  interesting  and  amus- 
ing.    Now  and  then  in  connection  with  shows 


Tr.^vi:ling  Cage 


there  are  races  of  harnessed  dogs,  sometimes 
a  procession  of  the  prize  winners,  and  at  still 
other  times  a  parade  of  packs  of  hounds,  with 
ket,  lest  he  should  strangle  himself  with  rope      their  huntsmen  in  scarlet  coats  making  a  noisy 


or  strap,  it  is  best  to  put  on  a  collar 
and  chain  when  he  reaches  his  des 
tination  among  strangers.     In 
general,  railway  rules  and  regu- 
lations for  the  transportation  of 
dogs  leave  much  to  be  desired  ; 
the  charges  are  very  high,  and  are 
often  based  on  ridiculous  reasons. 
In  Germany  a  particular  sort  of 
competition  has  been  established, 
in  which  bassets  hunt  foxes  and 
badgers  along  subterranean  pas-  - 
sages.    These  competitions,  much 


Traveling  Basket 


hullabaloo  with  their  horns  ;  occasion- 
ally there  are  dog  races  conducted 
by  children  ;  all  of  which  is  amusing 
for  the  exhibitors  and   for  the 
public.    Of  late  the  continent  of 
Europe  no  longer  takes  part  in 
the  English  bench  shows,  and  vice 
versa,  owing  to  the  rigorous  quaran- 
tine enforced  against  foreign  dogs 
at    English    ports,    which    renders 
importation  impossible  for  sports- 
men who  desire  merely  to  exhibit 
their  animals. 


yo 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


XV.  Diseases  and  Death  of  Dogs 
We  have  now  arrived,  in  our  rapid  survey 
of  the  dog  and  his  life,  to  the  old  age  of  that 
faithful  companion  who,  indeed,  has  a  right  to 
be  well  treated  to  his  last  hour.  Though  old 
age  begins  with  his  ninth  or  tenth  year,  dis- 
eases may  appear  earlier,  and  whether  it  is 
a  question  of  prize  winning  or  not,  his  master 
is  bound  to  study  the  means  of  curing  them. 
In  all  books  treating  of  the  canine  race  a  cer- 
tain number  of  recipes  will  be  found  ;  but  the 
best  advice  that  we  can  offer  is  to  send  for  a 
veterinarian  and  not  attempt  the  treatment 
yourself.    Of  cmirse,  if  it  is  merely  a  Cjuestion 


Tr,\ined  to  hunt  Rats 

of  worms,  you  can  safely  administer  the  pow- 
der called  kamala ;  or  if  the  dog  is  slightly 
wounded,  you  can  treat  him  as  you  would 
yourself.  If  complications  arise,  send  at  once 
for  the  veterinarian. 

Still  it  is  as  well  to  have  a  knowledge  of  the 
most  frequent  diseases.  Every  one  who  buys 
a  dog  ought  first  to  know  if  he  has  already 
had  distemper  {fcbris  catarr/ialis  cpizooticum 
caiium),  for  though  many  dogs  escape  it,  it  is  a 
very  general  and  extremely  uncomfortable  trib- 
ulation, and  is  even  dangerous  for  young  dogs. 
This  disease,  which  is  not  new,  for  we  hear  of 
it  in  Spain  in  1752,  appears  in  about  the  same 
form  among  cats,  wolves,  fo.xes,  and  some 
other  species  of  animals.  It  is  contagious,  and 
is  communicated  by  nasal  mucus  and  other 
deposits  coming  from  the  body  of  the  infected 
animal ;   it  is  also  in  the  atmosphere  and  in- 


spires a  natural  dread  in  all  proprietors  of  large 
kennels.  It  is  most  frequent  in  young  clogs, 
older  ones  having  had  it  and  therefore  being 
immune,  but  no  one  race  of  dogs  is  more  pre- 
disposed to  it  than  others.  In  ordinary  cases  it 
lasts  from  three  to  four  weeks,  and  it  can  be 
fought  as  well  undeveloped  as  symptomatically  ; 
that  is  to  say,  in  the  germ  by  carbonate  of  soda, 
bismuth,  etc.,  or  in  the  symptoms  by  febri- 
fuges, emetics,  and  remedies  against  mucous 
and  skin  diseases. 

After  distemper  the  disease  most  univer- 
sally known  and  feared  is  rabies  (hydrophobia), 
caused  by  some  contagious  matter  in  the  brain 
and  spinal  cord.  It  came  first 
from  southern  Russia  and 
made  a  circuit  through  Europe 
and  the  United  States,  sparing 
neither  man  nor  beast.  There 
are  hundreds  of  cases  which 
ignorant  persons  call  rabies 
which  are  not  that  disease  at 
all.  It  is  enough  to  hear  of  one 
real  case  to  find  the  number  of 
imagined  ones  increased  with 
such  terrifying  rapidity  as  to 
justify  all  precautions,  be  they 
needless  or  premature.  This 
disease  attacks  no  dog  or  other 
animal  unless  it  has  been  bitten  by  a  rabid  ani- 
mal, usually  a  dog.  Such  dogs  run  at  large  and 
to  great  distances,  biting,  as  they  go,  both  men 
and  animals  that  come  in  their  way  ;  and  the 
e.xtent  of  the  evil  is  incalculable  if  the  authori- 
ties do  not  promptly  interfere.  Unfortunately, 
the  order  to  muzzle  dogs,  which  is  nearly  all 
they  can  do,  is  absolutely  insufficient,  because 
in  spite  of  regulations  many  dogs  are  not  muz- 
zled, and  also  because  the  muzzles  that  are 
officially  recommended  are  worth  nothing.  It 
is  strange  that  Philippe  le  Bel,  king  of  F" ranee, 
who  hated  dogs  and  invented  muzzles,  did  not 
make  a  better  model  than  a  "  bag  of  iron  wire  "; 
and  stranger  still  is  it  that  the  authorities  of  our 
day,  who  could  have  the  advice  of  scientists  and 
breeders,  have  as  yet  invented  nothing  better. 

Some  mad  dogs,  however,  never  bite.    Most 
of  them  are  mute,  or  else  they  emit  a  low  yelp  ; 


THE   DOG 


71 


they  eat  nothing  but  abnormal  substances, 
such  as  splinters,  stones,  leather,  and  straw. 
The  presence  of  such  matters  without  other 
food  in  the  stomach  of  a  dog,  together  with 
other  symptoms  of  rabies,  indicates  the  true 
disease.  That  infected  animals  have  a  horror  of 
water  is  a  popular  delusion,  as  is  also  the  belief 
that  the  dog  days  in  August  cause  the  poor 
creature's  madness.  The  dog  days  are  as- 
tronomically related  to  the  dog  star  Sirius, 
which  has  its  full  brilliancy  on  the  23d  of 
August  and  following  days,  when  it 
rises  and  sets  with  the  sun, 
consequently  in  the  hottest 
part  of  the  summer.  The 
Romans  called  those 
days  dies  caniciilans ; 
and  the  summer 
holidays  of  the 
schools  were  for- 
merly called /r/'/w- 
c  anic  11 1  a  res,  in 
which  the  dog  is 
named  without  any 
mention  of  madness. 

Inflammation  of 
the  eyes,  most  fre 
quent  in  summer  and 
caused  by  dust  and  heat 
is  a  less  serious  trouble,  which 
is  successfully  dealt  with  by  purg- 
ing the  animal  and  bathing  the  eyes 
with  bora.x  water,  keeping  them  clean 
and  dry.  After  cleaning  them  with 
warm  soap  and  water,  a  salve  made  of  ten  parts 
vaseline  to  one  part  boric  acid  should  be  spread 
on  the  inflamed  parts.  The  animal  must  then 
wear  a  sort  of  linen  cap  (to  prevent  him  from 
shaking  his  ears)  and  be  fed  on  liquid  food. 

Skin  diseases,  by  which  nearly  all  dogs  are 
tormented,  are  very  annoying  and  some  of 
them  are  contagious.  An  e.xpert  often  finds 
difficulty  in  diagnosing  a  case  by  aid  of  the 
microscope,  on  account  of  the  infinite  number 
of  different  parasites  that  may  have  caused  the 
disease  and  will  certainly  aggravate  it.  There- 
fore, as  soon  as  an  eruption  appears,  and  red 
spots  or  even  little  pimples  are  seen,  especially 


on  the  abdomen,  the  breast,  or  the  pit  of  the 
fore  legs,  send  immediately  for  the  veterinarian, 
and  while  waiting  for  him  appl\'  a  wash  of  creolin 
diluted  with  much  water,  —  a  five  per  cent  solu- 
tion. E.xcellent  remedies  against  the  mange  are 
now  to  be  had,  salves  that  have  cured  very 
virulent  eruptions.  Therefore  it  is  best  not 
to  give  up  hope  too  soon,  though  a  dog  thus 
afflicted  is  horrible  to  see. 

Dogs  also  suffer  from  toothache  ;  therefore, 
strange  as  it  may  seem,  it  is  a  good  plan  to 
inspect  and  clean  their  teeth  thoroughly 
from  time  to  time.  The  worms 
with  which  all  dogs  are  tor- 
mented are  easily  driven 
ut  by  a  vermifuge, 
especially  if  they  are 
solitary  worms.  The 
case  is  more  serious 
when  it  concerns 
the  tania  ccliino- 
coccHS  (tapeworm), 
which  can  be  con- 
veyed to  human 
beings.  F"or  this 
reason,  wherever 
dogs  are  kept,  the  fol- 
lowing precept  should 
be  rigorously  enforced  : 
Never  use  the  plates,  dishes, 
etc.,  which  a  dog  has  licked  with- 
out carefully  cleansing  them  ;  never 
allow  him  to  lick  the  face  of  any  one, 
especially  a  child,  and  wash  your 
hands  at  once  if  they  have  happened  to  come 
in  contact  with  a  dog's  saliva.  It  is  unnecessary, 
as  in  all  other  helminthic  cases,  to  say.  Remem- 
ber our  advice,  send  for  the  veterinarian. 

If  the  disease  is  incurable,  or  if  the  dog  is 
too  old  to  move  about,  put  an  end  to  his 
sufferings.  Let  whoever  loves  his  dog  give 
him  a  quick  and  easy  death  if  life  becomes  a 
burden  to  him. 

Surgical  operations  can  sometimes  be  per- 
formed successfully,  veterinary  science  having 
attained  a  degree  of  development  which  must 
be  to  the  benefit  of  the  dog  as  well  as  to  that 
of  other  animals.     But  when  all  remedies  are 


)UT   AFTER 
.LNESS 


72 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


useless  let  a  well-directed  shot  put  an  end  to 
his  sufferings.  A  mask  that  we  cannot  too 
highly  recommend  has  been  invented  for  this 
purpose.  It  consists  of  a  very  strong  muzzle 
to  which  is  fastened  a  pistol  of  peculiar  con- 
struction, which  can  be  moved  about  until 
it    reaches    the    e.xact    point   above    the   eyes. 


Experience  proves  that  death  from  this  mask 
is  instantaneous.  An  asphyxiating  apparatus 
is  also  warmly  recommended  by  the  veteri- 
narians, and  deserves  attention.  How  can  we 
hesitate  to  use  some  one  of  such  methods 
when  they  enable  us  to  do  a  last  kind  service 
to  the  friend  of  man  ? 


II 

THE   CAT 


I.    Its  Antiquitv 

The  cat,  which  is  to-day,  with  the  dog,  the 
domestic  animal  par  excellence,  had  its  epoch  of 
glory  in  past  ages,  when  the  ancient  Egyptians 
declared  it  sacred,  when  a  city  called  Bubastis 
was  dedicated  to  its  race,  when  the  goddess 
Bast  (or  Pasche)  had  the  head  of  a  cat,  when 
the  bodies  of  cats  were  made  into  mummies, 
and  when  whoever  killed  a  cat  was  severely 
punished.  That  was  the  golden  age  of  cats  ; 
and  although  their  city,  placed  between  the 
two  arms  of  the  Nile  above  the  present  town 
of  Ben-el-Asi  (on  the  line  of  the  Cairo  railway), 
is  now  a  frightful  mass  of  ruins,  thousands  of 
pilgrims  —  Herodotus  speaks  of  seven  hundred 
thousand — once  went  there  annually  to  the  fes- 
tivals established  in  honor  of  cats.  At  Cairo 
a  vestige  of  this  veneration  still  remains,  for 
lately  a  large  sum  of  money  was  provided  for 
the  feeding  of  hungry  cats  ;  and  the  pilgrims 
to  Mecca  are  still  accompanied  by  a  "Mother 
of  Cats"  or  "  Father  of  Cats,"  charged  with 
the  care  of  a  certain  number  of  these  animals 
during  the  pilgrimage. 

Among  the  Greeks  and  Romans  also  the  cat 
enjoyed  a  very  great  reputation,  especially  after 
the  rat  (inns  ra/tiis),  coming  probably  from  Asia, 
made  its  way  into  the  dwellings  and  granaries 
of  Europe.  The  Norsemen  introduced  it  into 
their  mythology,  for  two  of  these  animals  draw 
the  chariot  of  the  goddess  Fridja.  This  venera- 
tion lasted  into  the  Middle  Ages,  at  which  period 


there  was  exhibited  at  Aix  in  Provence  the 
handsomest  male  cat  that  could  be  procured ; 
it  was  dressed  as  a  bab\-,  and  seated  in  a  mag- 
niticent  armchair,  where  all  believers  solemnly 
worshiped  it  as  the  Elected  One. 

But  after  a  while  the  glory  of  cats  began  to 
tarnish.  They  came  to  be  regarded  as  evil 
doers,  and  every  sorcerer  and  sorceress  was 
accompanied  by  a  cat  —  preferably  a  black  one. 
This  change  was  naturally  not  to  their  com- 
fort. They  were  still  tolerated  here  and  there, 
and  even  in  the  churches.  In  Saxony,  for  in- 
stance, nuns  were  forbidden  to  have  any  other 
animals  ;  but  elsewhere,  in  Metz,  for  example, 
they  were  publicly  burned  by  the  dozen  at  the 
festival  of  St.  John.  In  the  Flemish  town  of 
Spres  it  was  long  the  custom  to  fling  them 
from  the  top  of  a  lofty  tower  on  the  "  Wednes- 
day of  the  Cats  ";  and  though  it  is  said  that  a 
cat  always  falls  on  her  feet,  there  were  many 
sad  exceptions  to  the  rule  on  those  days.  The 
"  Wednesday  of  the  Cats  "  always  fell  in  the 
second  week  of  Lent ;  this  custom  dated  from 
the  year  962,  when  Baldwin  III,  Count  of 
Flanders,  established  it  as  an  annual  celebra- 
tion. In  1 23  I  the  tower  of  Lakenhal  was  fin- 
ished and  the  cats  were  thrown  from  there  as 
well  as  from  the  tower  of  the  old  castle.  In 
1674  the  custom  was  abolished,  but  it  was 
restored  in  17 14;  and  it  is  said  that  cats  were 
still  being  hurled  from  the  towers  of  Spres  in 
1S68. 


73 


74 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


It  is  not  known  how  this  animal  first  came 
to  Europe.  It  is  certain  that  before  the  Middle 
Ages  it  was  already  domesticated,  but  not  ex- 
clusively for  hunting  rats  and  mice,  because 
half-tamed  weasels  fastened  to  a  chain  were 
still  used  for  that  purpose.  Its  small  size  and 
gentle  and  insinuating 
manners  probabl}- 
helped  to  open  the 
doors  of  houses  to  this 
always  rather  rapa- 
cious animal.  At  some 
period  in  the  world's 
history  before  our  era 
the  cat  was  tamed, 
at  any  rate  certainly 
before  it  came  to 
Europe.  It  could  not 
have  been  a  slight 
matter  to  tame  a  race 
naturally  so  wild  and 
sly ;  the  honor  prob- 
ably belongs  to  that 
ancient  Eg}'ptian  peo- 
ple, so  strange  and 
yet  so  interesting,  the 
building  of  whose  gigantic  works  is  lost  in  the 
night  of  time.  Thus  we  can  only  feel  our  way 
in  the  darkness  when  we  try  to  discover  the 
relations  of  that  people  with  savage  or  half- 
savage  animals. 

The  domestic  cat  differs  too  much  from  the 
wild  cat,  still  existing,  to  enable  us  to  draw 
conclusions  from  this  domestication.  The  wild 
cat  exists  as  the  domestic  cat  does,  but  the 
link  between  them  escapes  our  knowledge  com- 
pletely. There  is  a  species  of  cat,  the  Nubian 
cat,  met  with  in  the  north  of  Africa,  the  shape 
of  whose  skull  has  a  strong  resemblance  to  that 
of  the  domestic  cat ;  and  possibly  it  might 
form  a  bridge  over  the  abyss  made  by  the 
c|uestion  of  the  descent  of  cats.  In  the  opinion 
of  several  learned  men  the  Nubian  cat  was  re- 
lated to  the  ancient  Egyptian  cat.  He  is  small, 
and  the  mummied  cats  of  Egypt,  discovered 
here  and  there,  were  a  small  species.  The 
Nubian  cat  is  easy  to  domesticate,  though  it  is 
still   rare  in   Europe.    Its  color  (an  important 


liLl'F.-W'HITi:,    LllXli 
From  p.iinting 


factor  in  distinguishing  cats)  is  a  tawn)-  gra\' 
or  yellow,  becoming  lighter  on  the  flanks  and 
white  on  the  stomach.  It  has  transversal  black 
stripes,  and  on  the  neck  similar  stripes  run- 
ning longitudinally.  The  tail  has  three  black 
rings,  and   the  tip  is  also  black. 

In  certain  parts  of 
Germany  a  n  o  t  h  e  r 
species  of  wild  cat  is 
found  that  commits 
great  ravages  among 
feathered  and  furry 
game  when  he  ven- 
tures to  quit  the  for- 
ests. This  species, 
which  is  larger  and 
more  square  in  shape 
than  the  domestic  cat, 
is  of  a  dark  color, 
except  on  the  throat, 
which  is  spotted  with 
white.  The  cat  of  the 
steppes,  though  do- 
mesticated here  and 
there  in  Siberia,  may 
be  regarded  as  half 
wild  on  account  of  its  savage  and  combative 
nature.  The  cat  was,  therefore,  probably  intro- 
duced into  Europe  completely  tamed  from  the 
south  and  southeast ;  but  it  has  never  been 
generally  valued  like  the  dog.  There  are  even 
regions  in  the  north  of  Germany  where  its  life 
is  not  safe  ;  it  is  in  this  country,  in  France, 
England,  and  the  south  of  Europe  that  it  is 
most  valued.  A  predilection  for  dogs  is  sel- 
dom accompanied  with  much  sympathy  for 
cats,  and  vice  versa. 

Yet  many  famous  personages,  Mohammed, 
for  example,  have  held  them  in  affection.  One 
day  a  cat  of  his  was  sleeping  on  the  skirt  of  his 
sacerdotal  garment  when  the  signal  for  prayer 
was  given  from  the  cupola  of  the  mosque;  the 
prophet,  whose  duty  it  was  to  rise  and  go  to 
perform  that  ceremony,  cut  off  the  skirt  of  his 
garment  that  he  might  not  wake  the  animal. 
Richelieu  was  also  a  great  friend  of  cats.  Col- 
bert never  worked  without  putting  one  or  two 
on  his  table  ;  as  soon  as  they  began  to  purr  he 


Haiki.ii   M.M.i:  C.\T 
by  E.  I.andur 


Persian  Cat.    "Silvery  Jessamine" 

From  paintint;  by  E.  L;indor 


76 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


thought  his  work  went  easier.  A  Shah  of 
Persia,  who  bred  a  great  many  cats  in  his 
palace,  always  ate  from  the  same  plate  with 
one  of  them.  Lord  Chesterfield,  the  English 
poet  Elliott,  Sardou,  Massenet,  and  Pierre  Loti 
are  known  for  their  Itne  of  cats.  A  tale  told 
of  a  Bernese  artist,  Gottfried  Mind,  called  the 
"  Raphael  of  cats,"  is  curious  and  strictly  true. 
During  his  whole  life  he  devoted  his  attention 
to  cats,  studying  them  daily  for  hours,  and 
portraying  all  their  habits  and  ways  ;  he  took 
no  interest  in  any  other  subject  or  person. 
About  all  else  his  thoughts  were  vague  and 
even  silly  in  old  age,  but  about  cats  he  showed 
true  knowledge.  When  he  died,  in  1814,  his 
features  had  acquired  a  sort  of  feline  character. 

It  is  by  no  means  rare  to  meet  with 
persons  who  resemble  cats.  It  was 
predicted  to  a  king  of  Persia  that 
he  would  triumph  in  war  if  liis 
armies  were  commanded  by  a 
cat-faced  man.  The  man  was 
found  and  victory  perched  upon 
his  banners.  Popular  supersti 
tion  asserts  that  the  blood  of 
a  cat,  drunk  to  cure  epilepsy, 
infuses  a  feline  nature,  so  that 
the  patient  will  ever  after  hunt 
rats  and  mice.  But  those  who 
have  eaten  cats,  sold  under 
the  name  of  rabbit,  have  not 
shown  this  propensity.  Mme.  Henriette  Ron- 
ner,  nee  Knip,  at  Amsterdam,  where  her  father 
was  an  artist,  is  a  celebrated  lover  of  cats. 
Since  her  marriage  she  has  lived  in  Brussels. 
Her  superb  pictures  of  animals,  in  which  cats 
play  a  chief  part,  are  known  the  world  over. 
In  1887  she  received  the  Order  of  Leopold 
from  the  king  of  the  Belgians. 

The  cat's  relations  with  man  are  not  as  close 
and  intimate  as  those  of  the  dog ;  this  may  be 
because  of  the  fact  that  the  animal  is  less  fit- 
ted to  accompany  him  everywhere,  or  perhaps 
because  it  is  less  fully  tamed.  It  bristles  up 
far  too  much,  and  is  still  distrustful  and  sus- 
picious. The  warm  friends  of  the  cat  may 
perhaps  take  its  part,  but  every  one  must 
agree  that  it  shows  its  claws  a  little  too  hastily, 


a   custom    which    is    not    likely    to   promote   a 
more  extended  acquaintance. 

The  stealthy,  imperceptible  step  of  the  cat, 
extremely  cautious  and  slow,  differs  from  the 
noisy  joy  with   which  the  dog,  and   e\'en  the 
horse,  greets  his  master.    Its  eyes  are  beautiful, 
but  there  is  something  enigmatical  in  them  ; 
moreover,  the  attachment  of  most  cats  is  more 
to   the  house  than   to   its   inhabitants.     But  if 
we  weigh  these  peculiarities,  that  are  more  or 
less  agreeable,  against  the  really  good  qualities 
of  the  cat,  we  shall  find  the  balance  in 
its  fa\-or ;  which  explains  why  per- 
sons of  superior  minds  so  often 
feel   attracted   to   it.     The    more 
they  learn  to  know  it,  and  the  more 
they  treat  it  kindly  and  sensibly,  the 
less  the  savage   traits  of  the  crea- 
ture's ancestors  come  out.    The  ap- 
proach to  friendliness  ought  not  to 
be  made  by  one  side  only,  but  the  first 
steps  should  be  taken  by  the  one  that 
has  most  intelligence.    If  the  cat  is  the 
first  to  present  a  paw,  the  sharp  claws 
will  be  shown  at  the  same  time ;   but 
if  the  man  holds  out  a  caressing  hand, 
the   velvet    paw   is   advanced,  cau- 
tiously, it  is  true,  but  unarmed. 
Let  us  observe  this  paw  a  lit- 
tle closer,  and  also   the   eyes 

C.\T  OF   Buii.VillS,   .VxciiiNr   KcvfT  .        , 

and   the  cry  of  the  annnal. 


II.  The  P.^ws,  Eyes,  and  Cry  of  the  Cat 
The  cat  walks  on  its  toes,  like  the  lion,  the 
tiger,  and  the  other  species  of  animals  of  the 
same  class.  It  has  five  toes  on  the  fore  feet 
and  four  toes  on  the  hind  feet.  The  claws, 
nevertheless,  remain  sharp  because  whenever 
the  cat  runs  or  walks  on  hard  ground  they 
are  drawn  up  into  the  articulations  and  never 
touch  the  earth.  A  certain  muscle  darts  them 
forth  as  soon  as  the  cat  thinks  it  has  need  of 
defending  itself,  or  when  it  loses  its  equilib- 
rium and  is  in  danger  of  falling.  The  claws 
being  thus  drawn  in  and  the  paws  being 
covered  with  fur,  its  movements  are  imper- 
ceptible, even  upon  oilcloth,  resulting  disas- 
trously to  many  a  mouse. 


THE   CAT 


77 


On  the  other  hand,  if  the  approach  of  the 
cat  is  not  heard,  its  eyes  betray  its  presence, 
especially  in  the  dark.  Yet  they  are  not  lan- 
terns that  shed  light ;  their  brilliancy  is  only 
the  reflection  of  luminous  rays  that  strike  upon 
them.  The  vascular  membrane  is  covered 
with  a  reflecting  filmy  tissue,  which  pro- 
duces, especially  at  night,  when  the  puijil 
is  most  dilated,  a  sparkling  brilliancy.  In 
daylight  the  pupil  is  seen  only  through 
a  slit,  which  widens  at  nightfall.  Certain 
of  the  Eastern  nations  use  their  cats  as 
chronometers,  though  they  are  begin- 
ning to  find  out  that  clocks  are  surer 
things.  The  cat  sees  very  distinctly  in 
the  darkness,  a  cjuality  it  has  in  common 
with  many  nocturnal  creatures,  including 
birds.  By  day  it  distinguishes  many 
things  better  than  the  dog  ever  does. 

The  color  of  the  eyes  varies  with  age.  Young 
cats  have  gray  eyes,  while  later  they  usually 
turn  yellow  or  some  other  tint.  We  shall  speak 
presently,  apropos  of  races,  of  white  cats  with 
gray  eyes,  whose  deafness  has  attracted  the 
attention  of  scientific  men  like  Darwin  and 
Schinz,  and  still  gives  food  for  discussion. 

We  have  just  called  the  cat  a  nocturnal 
animal ;  it  certainly  prefers  to  seek  adventures 
at  night,  which  it  makes  hideous,  especially 
during  the  months  of  February  and  March, 
with   its  discordant   caterwaulings,  calling  for 


H.\Li--\ViLn  Burmah  C.\t 

From  painting  by  E.  Landor 

a  mate  on  garden  walls  and  roofs.  It  is  said 
that  the  cat  owes  its  predilection  for  roofs  to 
Noah  and  his  ark.  A  couple  of  cats  saved 
therein,  having  violated  the  restrictions  imposed 
on  appetite  (the  ark  being  short  of  provisions). 


were  condemned  to  espouse  their  loves  on  the 
roof  only  during  the  months  of  February  and 
March  but  with  free  permission  to  fight  and  claw 
and  caterwaul  as  much  as  they  pleased.  Not 
long  ago  an  attcmjit  was   made  in   Fondon  to 


SUNMXO    Hkksklf 

lessen,  by  means  of  automatic  tomcats,  this  noc- 
turnal racket,  which  had  become  very  annoying, 
especially  in  the  northern  part  of  the  city.  A  cat 
was  made  of  iron  wire  and  cement  and  covered 
with  a  real  cat's  skin  and  fur.  To  increase  the 
effect,  glass  eyes  made  luminous  by  an  electric 
battery  were  added,  the  battery  also  conveying 
some  motion  to  the  limbs.  The  resemblance 
was  striking.  When  the  tail  was  touched  the 
beast  began  to  growl,  and  at  the  same  instant 
long  pointed  needles  started  out  from  the  skin, 
two  capsules  exploded  in  the  mouth,  and  a 
formidable  noise  was  heard  within. 

This  contrivance  produced  the  happiest 
result  on  the  very  first  night  it  was  placed 
in  position.    A  real  tomcat  arrived,  accom- 
panied by  four  friends.  The  company  placed 
themselves   around    the  automaton,  which 
remained,  of  course,  perfectly  calm  and  un- 
moved.   Soon  the  real  tomcat  lost  patience. 
He  used  his  claws  to  incite  his  mute  adver- 
sary to  anger,  and  presently  attacked  him. 
Then  the  sham  cat  got  his  innings.    The 
capsules    exploded,    the    eyes    glared,    the 
needles  darted  out  and  stuck  their  points  into 
the  paws  of  the  aggressor,  and  the  garden  was 
purged  of  cats  for  over  a  month. 

The  purring  of   cats,  which   resembles  the 
whir  of  a  spinning  wheel,  is  to  human  ears  an 


78 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


expression  of  their  contentment.  It  is  supposed  a  treatment  evidently  very  disagreeable  to  the 
that  the  sound  is  formed  in  the  larynx  near  animal,  though  it  has  to  submit  to  it  when  its 
the  vocal  cords,  and  it  is  supposed  to  be  a  sign      owner  desires  to  show  how  much  electricity  it 


of  health  and  vigor,  old  cats  being  less  inclined 
to  purr. 

III.    The  Fur,  the  Sensitiveness,  .\nd  the 
Presentiments  of  Cats 

The  race  of  cats  has  but  two  species  of  fur, 
long  and  short.  So  far  breeders  have  not 
applied  artificial  propagation  sufficiently  (as 
they  have  with  dogs)  to  increase  the  number 
of  colors  and  shades  trans- 
mitted by  means  of  heredity  ; 
but  in  countries  where  there 
is  a  commerce  in  cat  skins 
they  take  pains  to  mate  cats 
having  heavy  fur.  The  growth 
of  fur  can  be  artificially  pro- 
duced without  following  thi 
example  of  a  man  who  put  a 
mother  cat  into  one  of  his  ice 
houses.  The  kittens  came 
duly  into  the  world,  and 
the  excessive  cold  to 
which  they  had  been  ex- 
posed produced  a  most 
luxuriant  fur,  but  they 
finally  became  such  thick 
round  balls  of  hair  that 
it  was  impossible  for 
them  to  move  about. 

If  breeders  pay  a  lit-  *" 

tie  attention  to  the  fur 

of  their  cats,  the  cats  themselves  do  all  they 
can  to  keep  it  in  good  condition.  They  are,  in- 
deed, obliged  to  do  so,  since  it  not  only  protects 
them  but  serves  as  dL  feeler.  The  hairs  of  the 
mustache  especially  are  very  sensitive,  and  so 
are  the  nerves  with  which  they  communicate. 
Every  cat  has  from  twenty-five  to  thirty  hairs 


gives  forth. 

It  is  well,  however,  not  to  form  too  high  an 
estimate  of  the  electricity  of  cats.  In  ver)-  dry 
countries,  for  instance,  among  high  mountains, 
human  hair,  when  rubbed,  will  give  out  plenty 
of  electric  sparks  visible  in  the  darkness.  In 
fact,  in  such  altitudes  we  have  often  seen  the 
gas  lighted  by  a  touch  of  the  finger  after 
approaching  the  fixture  from  the  end  of  the 
room,  rubbing  the  feet  (in 
thin  shoes)  along  a  thick 
carpet  without  lifting  them. 
The  fur  of  a  badger  and  of 
several  other  animals,  if  per- 
fectly dry,  warm,  and  rubbed 
energetical]}',  will  convey 
electricity  to  any  conduct- 
ing medium.  The  fur  of  a 
cat,  already  more  or  less 
dried  by  the  bodily  heat 
of  the  animal,  emits 
electricity  if  ex- 
posed to  the  sun 
and  then  rubbed 
by  the  hand  in  a 
dark  place;  but 
that  same  pelt, 
when  taken  from 
the  animal  and  pre- 
pared and  dried, 
will  give  the  same 


MiDD.AY 


result.  Therefore  it  is  not  the  cats  but  their 
pelts,  and  those  of  all  thick  furry  animals,  which 
emit  electricity  under  certain  favorable  circum- 
stances.   Tigers  show  the  same  phenomenon. 

Cats  feel  much  discomfort  at  the  coming 
of  a  storm,  and  there  is  probably  .some  con- 
nection between  the  atmosphere,  charged  with 
in  its  beard,  arranged  in  four  lines,  the  two  mid-  electricity,  and  their  fur.  Perhaps  their  sensi- 
dle  lines  being  the  longest.  At  each  side  of  the  tiveness  to  atmospheric  changes  may  be  one  of 
head  there  are  likewise  some  sensitive  hairs,  the  causes  why  they  show  such  distress,  espe- 
which  have  their  roots  in  little  protuberances,  cially  when  young,  during  a  rain  storm.  Some 
The  hairs  inside  the  ear  are  also  sensitive,  are  seen  to  show  extreme  terror  during  an 
The  whole  pelt  in  fact  shows  a  high  degree  of  earthquake,  but  that  is  a  feeling  they  share 
sensitiveness  when  rubbed  the  wrong  way, —      with  other  animals. 


THE   CAT 


79 


IV.    Sympathies  and  Antipathies 

Why  does  the  cat  feel  such  hatred  to 
the  whole  mouse  tribe  ?  No  one  knows  ; 
but  there  must  be  some  extraordinary 
and  terrible  cause  for  such  eternal  ani- 
mosity. In  past  ages  rats  and  mice  must 
undoubtedly  have  done  some  great  injury 
to  the  feline  race.  Perhaps,  in  earlier 
times,  the  rat  may  have  been  able  to 
attack  his  enemy  with  success  ;  if  not, 
in  the  great  struggle  for  existence  going 
on  perpetually  in  the  animal  kingdom 
ever  since  the  creation,  those  rodents, 
always  conquered  by  the  cat,  would 
surely  have  disappeared.  A  cat  watch- 
ing a  mouse  and  knowing  its  hiding 
place  crouches  where  its  victim  cannot 
see  it,  and  never  moves  a  hair  till  the 
favorable  moment  comes  ;  then  with  one 
bound  to  right  or  left,  or  sometimes 
backward,  all  is  over  for  the  little  beast. 
Even  if  a  cat  is  asleep,  no  mouse  can 
with  safety  pass  either  before  or  behind 
it,  which  says  much  for  its  sense  of  hearing. 
Lenz,  the  naturalist,  says  that  a  cat  will  catch 


Six  in  thk  Eve.mng 


Ten  at  Night 

and    swallow    twenty    mice   a   day,  —  seventy- 
three  hundred  a  year. 

If  pussy  has  a  mouse  in  view,  no  power 
on  earth  can  turn  her  trom  her  murderous 
projects.  One  evening,  as  a  family  was 
sitting  in  a  small  parlor,  their  cat,  a  fat 
and  well-fed  beast,  made  one  spring  from 
his  place  before  the  fire  and  disappeared 
beneath  a  piece  of  heavy  furniture,  which 
(being  afterwards  exactly  measured)  was 
only  two  and  a  half  inches  from  the 
floor.  The  body  of  the  cat,  lying  flat, 
measured  from  seven  to  eight  inches. 
The  family  in  consternation  rushed  to 
deli\'er  its  pet  from  so  strange  a  situation. 
Even  his  intimate  friend,  the  greyhound, 
stretched  a  paw  under  the  sideboard  to 
reach  him,  when  lo  and  behold!  he  re- 
appeared, calm  and  conscious  of  victory, 
with  a  mouse  in  his  mouth.  Other  ani- 
mals possess  this  power  of  shrinking 
their  bodies  ;  mice  themselves  can  get 
through  the  narrowest  slit,  but  it  is  cer- 
tainly no  slight  thing  for  a  body  of  seven 
or  eight  inches  in  height  to  rush  through 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Ai'PAKr.NTi.v   Am. 1.1  1',  r.CT  watching  a  Mouse 


a  space 
speed  of 


two  and  a  half  inches  wide  with  the 
an  express  train. 


Dangerous  Situation  eor  the  Cockat 


As  for  their  sympathies,  they  are  chiefly 
influenced  by  warmth  and  sunlight.  Some 
years  ago  the  present  king  of 
England,  then  Prince  of  Wales, 
walking  one  day  in  the  streets 
of  London  with  his  tutor,  made 
a  bet  with  the  latter  as  to  who 
would  count  the  greatest  num- 
ber of  cats,  each  to  take  one 
side  of  the  street.  Presently 
the  tutor  had  counted  a  dozen, 
while  the  prince  had  not  seen 
( me,  he  having  chosen  the  shady 
side  of  the  street,  and  all  the 
cats  were  on  the  other  side 
basking  in  the  sun. 

The  whole  feline  race  seems 
to  have  a  predilection  for  the 
odor  of  certain  plants,  among 
others  catnip,  mint,  and  vale- 
rian, which  certainly  exercise 
some  sort  of  magnetism  upon 
them.  In  Germany  these  herbs 
are  often  used  to  attract  and 
(  apture  destructive  wild  cats. 
According  to  Blasius,  mint  in- 
toxicates cats,  after  exciting 
them  to  frenzied  gayety.  When 
an  animal  thus  overstimulated 
is  put  with  calmer  comrades, 
the  latter  will   instantly  catch 


THE   CAT 


8i 


a  little  of  the  same  mad  gayety.  They  rub 
against  each  other  until  the  whole  troop  works 
itself  into  such  a  state  of  intoxication  that  the 
fete  usually  ends  in  a  fight. 

The  sympathy,  or  rather  the  affection,  of 
these  animals  is  given  more  to  the  house  than 
to  its  owner,  which  does  not,  how- 
ever, preclude  instances  where  cats 
have  been  as  greatly  attached  to  their 
masters  as  some  dogs  have  been. 
Perty  tells  us  of  a  cat  falling  into 
despair  at  the  death  of  her  master, 
refusing  all  nourishment  and  dying 
three  days  after  him.  Who  knows  if 
cats  would  not  have  given  to  their 
masters  the  affection  they  now  bestow 
upon  localities,  if  man  had  constrained 
them,  as  he  has  dogs,  to  serve  him 
and  keep  him  company  .?  Perhaps  in 
time  this  progress  may  come  about. 

It  is  impossible  to  deny  that  serious 
misunderstandings  exist  between  cats 
and  birds.  Any  one  who  has  seen  a 
cat  watching  and  attacking  an  inno- 
cent robin  feels  indignant  at  such  cruelty ;  but 
that  fault  may  be  easily  corrected  b)'  simply 
taking  a  bird  in  \(iur  hand  and  making  it  peck 


her  room  in  Buckingham  Palace,  did  not  know 
the  simple  scheme  we  have  just  mentioned,  or 
she  would  not  have  so  sternly  forbidden  the  pres- 
ence of  cats  in  any  part  of  her  various  palaces. 
Some  cats  are  very  fond  of  horses  and  pre- 
fer to  sleep  in  stables,  occasionally  on  the  backs 


TOLER.ANCE 

the  cat's  nose.  In  seed  and  grain  shops,  where 
birds  are  also  kept  and  sold,  the  latter  are  never 
molested  by  the  cats  that  are  kept  in  the  shop 
to  protect  the  grain  from  mice.  The  late  Cjueen 
of  England,  who  liked  to  have  birds  flying  about 


HI-:  W.VTCii 


of  their  friends.  Others  live  on  very  good  terms 
with  the  dogs  of  the  household,  though  some 
dugs  are  trained,  especially  in  Germain',  to 
strangle  cats,  whose  days  are  infallibl)-  num- 
bered when  their  enemy  appears.  Bassets  when 
trained,  even  while  puppies,  will  kill  cats  with 
remarkable  rapidity ;  but  old  cats  will  take  the 
defensive,  growl,  hiss,  and  put  up  their  backs, 
and,  if  the  occasion  is  favorable,  will  fling  them- 
selves upon  the  dog  with  all  claws  out.  Then, 
if  the  dog  is  not  trained,  he  loses  an  eye  and 
part  of  his  skin  ;  but  if  he  has  been  taught  to 
strangle,  he  seizes  the  cat  instantly  by  the 
throat  or  the  nape  of  its  neck  and  issues  vic- 
torious from  the  combat.  A  cat's  method  of 
attack  clearly  reveals  its  savage  origin ;  all 
other  members  of  the  feline  race,  tigers  among 
them,  always  spring  on  the  back  of  their  prey 


if  possible. 

V.    Gene.\logy  of  C.vt.s 

As  we  have  already  said,  the  breeding  of  cats 
of  pure  race  is  not  done  on  the  vast  scale  em- 
ployed in  the  case  of  other  domestic  animals. 


82 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Nevertheless,  there  is  a  species  of  genealogy 
kept  for  cats,  quite  seriously  and  in  clue  form, 
especially  in  England.  The  National  Cat  Club 
and  the  Northern  Counties  Cat  Club,  anion-- 
others,  are  societies  composed  princi 
pally  of  cat  lovers  and  amateurs, 
several  members  of  which 
belong  to  the  Britii 
aristocracy.  These 
societies,  working 
according  to  vcr\ 
precise  rules, 
organize  exhibi- 
tions, establish 
championships, 
promote  the 
breeding  of  pure- 
races  exclusively, 
and  spend  much 
money  in  so 
doing.  Whatever 
may  be  thought 
of  such  a  fancy, 
as  soon  as  com- 
merce and  indus- 
try draw  profits 
from  an  innocent 

mania  we  cannot  but  approve  it.  Besides,  it 
contributes  to  protect,  support,  and  succor 
this  particular  animal  in  its  struggle  for  ex- 
istence, thus  lending  a  hand   to   the   progress 


Lrn  LE    MlSCRE.ANTS 


of  civilization.  The  late  Queen  Victoria  said 
a  true  word  on  this  point  :  "  No  civilization  is 
complete  which  does  not  include  the  dumb  and 
defenseless  of  God's  creatures." 

This  English  rearing  of  cats  has  its 
own  reasons ;  nevertheless,  it 
w  ill  not  readily  cross  the  At- 
lantic with  its  rules  and 
regulations,  and  take 
Kit  in  the  United 
States.  It  will  be 
long  before  a  very 
noble  lady  in  Am- 
erica will  distrib- 
ute with  her  own 
hand  prizes  for 
cats  at  a  cat  show. 
Yet  that  very 
thing  happened 
lately  in  England, 
and  the  prizes 
were  not  mere 
pounds  and  shil- 
lings, but  objects 
of  art  in  precious 
metals.  But  to 
win  these  prizes 
the  breeder,  man  or  woman,  must  exhibit  cats  of 
the  finest  and  purest  races,  and  this  demands 
a  great  expenditure  of  time  and  mone\',  and 
also  a  certain  amnunt  of  scientific  knowledge. 


THE   CAT 


83 


Lon(;-Haiked  Cat  in  Fol'k  Colors  — 
White,  Brown,  and  Blue 

This  cat  is  exceptiunal 


Black, 


Mischances  of 
color  and  blootl 
cause  many  a 
vexation  to  the 
breeder,  while 
climate  and  the 
very  incomplete 
knowledge  now 
possessed  in 
regard  to  the 
breeding  of  these 
animals,  based  on 
the  principle  of 
race,  play  him 
man)-  an  e  \"  i  1 
trick.  One  curi 
ous  and  remark- 
able fact  is  that 
the  best  colors 
are  obtained  by 
the  mating  of  cats 
of  two  wholly 
different  colors. 

The  cat  show  does  exist  in  America,  though 
not  on  the  same  scale  as  in  England.  The 
American  exhibitions  are  often  well  attended 
and  are  supported  by  subscription.  In  Ger- 
many and  Austria  almost  no  interest  is  taken 
in  the  matter ;  in  Holland  and  Belgium 
exhibitions  of  cats  are  very  rare.  Yet  in 
certain  cities  of  every  country  we  find  per- 
sons who  push  their  passion  for  cats  to 
excess  ;  generally,  it  must  be  said,  they 
are  elderly  dames,  who  establish  asylums 
where  neglected,  lost,  or  sick  cats  may 
find  a  refuge.  Sometimes  these  asylums 
are  organized  in  a  practical  and  sufficient 
manner,  in  which  case  the  motive  that 
provided  them  is  laudable  ;  but  often  they 
are  mere  nests  of  disease  and  objects  of 
scandal  to  the  neighborhood.  The  time 
and  money  spent  upon  them  would  be  far 
better  employed  in  ameliorating  the  con- 
dition of  human  beings,  at  least  in  coun- 
tries where  such  succor  is  sorely  needed. 
Still,  in  such  large  cities  as  New  York,  Boston,  foreign  countries,  purity  of  race  is  not  so  diffi- 
Chicago,  and  Philadelphia,  where  there  are  so  cult  to  affirm.  Those  from  the  Isle  of  Man,  for 
many  stray  cats,  such  asylums  are  beneficent,      instance,  called   the  Manx  cats,  are  markedly 


They  also  exist  in  Cairo,  Constanti- 
nople, Rome,  and  Geneva.    In  Geneva 

a   society   is   formed    to    feed   the   in- 
nimierable  \'agrant  cats  of  that  city. 

VI.    Races  of  Cats 

It  is  not  more  difficult  to  distin- 
guish the  races  of  cats  than  the  races 
of  dogs.  In  each  country  there  is  lit- 
tle difference,  but  the  varieties  are 
numerous.  It  is 
very  difficult  to 
follow  the  cross- 
ings, and  there 
can  be  no  such 
thing  as  the  true 
breeding  of  cats 
unless  the  ani- 
mals are,  like 
dogs  in  kennels, 
watched,  fed,  and 
kept  confined; 
otherwise  it  is  not 
possible  to  keep  the  races  pure.  Yet  all  persons 
who  attempt  to  raise  cats  for  sale  and  exhibi- 
tion must  be  able  to  distinguish  and  define 
the  breeds  accurately.  In  the  case  of  cats 
comins/  from  islands  and  from  certain  isolated 


Tabhies 


84 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


different  from  all  other  species  in  the  absence 
of  tail,  the  smallness  of  the  head,  the  extraor- 
dinary length  and  pciwer  of  the  hind  legs, 
which  causes  them  to  lope  like  a  hare  or  rab- 
bit rather  than  run,  and,  finally,  the  thickness 
of  the  coat,  which  is  true  fur,  not  hair.    These 


VovNO  WHriF.  Cat 

cats  are  extraordinarily  intelligent.  The  Creole 
cat  of  Antigua  is  smaller  and  the  head  longer 
than  all  other  English  species,  while  the  Ceylon 
cat  has  the  peculiarity  of  pointed  ears.  On 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  the  cats  have  singular 
red  stripes  along  the  back,  while  those  of  the 
Malay  Archipelago,  Siam,  and  Burmah  have 
according  to  Darwin  split  and 
sometimes  knotted  tails.  In 
China  their  ears  are  pendent, 
and  around  Tobolsk  there  li\-es 
an  indigenous  cat  which  is  en- 
tirely maroon  in  color. 

The  separation  of  races  being 
so  difficult,  color  is  the  point 
on  which  all  breeders  fasten, 
although  the  last  word  has  by 
no  means  been  said  on  that 
subject,  and  many  years  must 
elapse  before  a  race  or  a  fixed 
color  can  be  obtained  by  breed- 
ing with  the  same  certainty 
and  constancy  as  now  obtains  with  dogs.  The 
colors  chiefly  distinguished  are  white,  black, 
blue,  blue-gray,  smoke  color,  orange,  and  tor- 
toise shell.  All  these  varieties  of  color  are  scat- 
tered through  the  two  great  groups,  — the  long 


haired  and  the  short  haired.  To  these  groups, 
however,  must  be  added  the  exotic  species, 
designated  under  the  name  of  the  region,  island, 
or  country  from  which  they  come. 

If  we  pass  the  different  races  in  re\-iew,  the 
first  to  present  itself  is  that  of  the  white  cats. 
The  cnlor  of  their  eyes  is  a  very  important 
matter  ;  it  ought  not  to  be  blue,  which  is 
said  to  be  a  sign  of  deafness.  Darwin  insists 
on  this  fact,  to  which,  nevertheless,  there 
are  many  exceptions.  Possibly  there  is  a 
species  of  albinism  in  these  cats,  and  as  the 
albino  is  always  feebler  than  others  of  its 
kind,  that  may  account  for  the  phenomenon. 
Some  white  cats  have  red  eyes,  and  in  them 
albinism  is  even  more  marked.  Their  coats 
ought  to  be  as  sleek  as  possible.  Some 
Eastern  nations  honor  the  white  cat  as  a 
symbol  of  the  moon. 

Black  cats,  of  a  brilliant  and  entire  black, 
are  much  more  rare  than  people  think  :  most 
of  them  have  a  russet  tinge.  They  owe  the 
favor  they  enjoy  to  their  large  size  and  the 
beauty  of  their  eyes,  which  are  generall)'  yel- 
low, though  in  the  long  run  somber  colors  are 
wearisome.  Phantom  cats,  ]iartisans  of  the 
devil,  were  all  black.  There  was  never  a 
wizard  or  a  witch  without  his  or  her  black  cat, 


BM 

flfllHHJIi^x      i 

^^^^^        'i' 

'^lSt"i^^''     ^^^B^^^^l 

4*  v'^ 

S  ^  ■ 

kdy 

Hii^    ^ 

I3lui;  FicKsi.AX  Cat 

which  always  took  an  active  part  in  the  prep- 
aration of  philters.  These  phantom  cats  were 
especially  and  exuberantly  gay  on  Wednesdays, 
the  witches'  day,  and  held  noisy  assemblies  at 
all  crossroads  or  on  the  roofs  of  haunted  houses. 


THE   CAT 


85 


The  cat  called  the  "  Carthusian 
friar"  is  blue,  with  very  long  fine 
hair.  In  Holland  there  is  a  breed  of 
very  handsome  short-haired  blue  cats 
which  would  find  a  great  market  if 
some  intelligent  person  would  under- 
take to  breed  them.  It  was  our  inten- 
tion to  reproduce  a  group  of  them 
here,  but  photography  was  powerless 
to  give  an  idea  of  the  beautiful  color 
of  the  living  animal. 

Blue-gray  cats,  whose  color  is  far 
from  being  as  beautiful  as  that  of  the 
foregoing  species,  often  have  w'hite 
patches  on  the  breast,  the  paws,  and 

sometimes  the  head.  The  soot-colored, 

1,^  i^u     "     „* ,  ,t;„, ,,.  „^u  1,1  tu,.  A  Celebrated  Tahuv.    A  Prize  Winner 

or  "tabby,     cat,  sometimes  calletl  tne 

,,  .     r  ,1  From  paiiitinij  bv  E.  Landoi 

gray  cat,  is  the  one  most  trecjuently 

seen  in  our  houses  and  gardens.    Transversal  greatly   improve.     The    striped   and   very    tall 

black    stripes,    sometimes    black    with    brown  Cyprus  cat  is  universally  renowned.    Its  stripes 

edges,  encircle  the  legs,  tail,  and  neck,  and  go  are  gray  or  black  on  a  yellow  ground,  but  they 

down  the  sides  of  the  animal.    Often  these  lines  must  be  perfectly  distinct.    Many  cats  are  sold 

go  from  the  eyes  to  the  forehead,  forming  sin-  under  the  name  of  "  Cyprus  cats,"  in  whose 


gular  figures,  in  which  (by  an  effort  of  imag- 
ination) the  owner  sometimes  deciphers  a 
monogram.  Most  of  these  cats,  of  less  pure 
descent,  have  white  patches  on  their  heads, 
which  exclude  them  from  exhibitions.  Are  gray 
cats  better  mousers  than  all  others  ?  They  are 
said  to  be ;  but  if  the  fact 
be  true,  it  cannot  result 
from  the  color,  because, 
as  we  very  well  know, 
"by  night  all  cats  are 
gray." 

Other  gray  cats  that 
are  almost  black  have 
white  paws  and  a  white 
line  between  the  eyes. 
The  blacker  the  cat  and 
the  whiter  the  line  the 
more  the  animal  is 
valued.  The  contrary, 
namely  a  wholly  white 
body  with  black  head 
and  tail,  characterizes 
the  Moorish  cats,  a  race 
which  breeding  would 


White  Persian  of  Great  Beauty 


From  painting  by  E.  Lando 


veins  there  is  not  a  drop  of  Cypriot  blood  and 
whose  ancestors  never  saw  the  island  of  Cyprus. 
Among  the  long-haired  cats  we  meet  the 
imposing  Angora,  white  in  color,  with  a  mag- 
nificent plumed  tail.  There  are  cats  of  this  race 
of  several  other  colors,  but  breeders  are  en- 
deavoring to  keep  them 
]Hire  white ;  and  as  this 
color  propagates  itself 
with  some  constancy, 
they  are  succeeding. 
The  Angora  being  espe- 
cially a  parlor  cat,  very 
sensitive  to  cold  and 
dampness,  and  conse- 
quently delicate  in  con- 
stitution, their  owners 
should  avoid  giving  them 
dainties,  such  as  tripe, 
giblets,  or  scraps  of  fish, 
since  their  digestion  is 
upset  much  sooner  than 
that  of  other  cats. 

The   Persian   cat  has 
silky  hair,  very  long  and 


86 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Blue  Pf.rsian  Cat 

From  painting  b)'  E.  Landor 

quite  as  handsome  as  that  of  the  Angora.  It 
has  a  mane  around  its  neck,  and  usually  has 
dark  eyes,  the  sinister  glare  of  which  comes 
vividly  out  of  its  dark  blue  fur.  By  nature  it  is 
less  sociable  in  western  lands  than  in  its  own, 
which  is  not  surprising,  in  view  of  the  great 
difference  there  is  between  Persian  households 
and  ours.  Angora  and  Persian  cats  are  highly 
valued  when  they  come  of  pure  race  ;  but  many 
young  "Angoras"  are  sold  which  will  not 
bear  minute  inspection,  and  the  buyers  may 
say  with  truth  that  they  have  bought  a  "  cat 
in  a  poke." 

Tricolor  or  tortoise-shell  cats  are  sometimes 
extremely  beautiful,  but  perfect  specimens  are 
rare.  They  have  yellow-brown  and  red-brown 
patches  on  a  white  ground.  What  experi- 
ments might  be  made  in  this  field  of  interest- 
ing varieties  of  color  still  so  little  worked  ! 
Cats  would  lend  themselves  to  it  readilv,  but 


much  patience  is  needed  and  a  vast 
establishment.  If  breeders  would 
seriously  apply  themselves  to  the 
breeding  of  tricolor  cats,  the  suc- 
cess and  profit  would  not  be  long 
in  coming.  It  is  generally  believed 
that  the  tricolor  male  cat  is  rare. 
Perhaps  we  here  meet  with  one  of 
those  strange  phenomena  of  color 
in  relation  to  sex  in  these  animals. 
We  cannot  now  enter  into  details, 
but  we  advise  those  who  are  inter- 
ested in  the  breeding  of  cats  to  take 
up  the  study,  relatively  neglected 
and  incomplete,  of  colors  in  ani- 
mals, and,  better  still,  to  make  ex- 
periments themselves  with  the  cats 
they  own  and  note  down  the  results. 
It  is  needless  to  enlarge  on  the 
indigenous  cats  of  Cochin  China 
and  Madagascar,  which  have  ab- 
normal tails  ;  or  on  the  Siamese 
cat,  a  typical  little  beast  with  black 
head,  legs,  and  tail,  thick  fur,  and 
a  brown  body.  In  China  cats  are 
fattened  for  food,  and  those  who 
do  not  disdain  jugged  hare  can  try 


Siamese  Cat 

From  painting  iiy  F.  I.rindor 


THE   CAT 


87 


their  teeth  on  this  breed.  In 
Switzerland  (not  in  the  hotels, 
be  it  said)  wild  cats  are  eaten, 
especially  in  the  mountain  re- 
gions. It  is  easy  to  distinguish 
cat  from  hare  by  the  shape  of 
the  skull,  which  explains  why 
the  head  never  appears  on  the 
table  when  there  is  an  experi- 
enced chef  in  the  kitchen. 

VII.    Breeding  and  C.\re 

OF    C.\TS 

As  we  have  already  indi- 
cated, it  is  almost  impossible 
to  regulate  the  mating  of  cats 
on  account  of  their  vagabond 
habits.  If  kept  outdoors  in  cages,  it  can  be 
done  ;  but  cats  always  want  to  get  into  the 
house,  or  to  roam  at  large.  They  need  move- 
ment, and  must  obey  their  natures  or  they 
languish  and  fall  ill.  Then,  of  course 
they  have  to  be  released,  and 
there  's  an  end  to  supervisi 
High  walls  and  fences  wi 
not  prevent  them,  as  they 
will  a  dog,  from  roamin- 
off.  Even  when  kept  in 
a  cage  and  allowed  to  con- 
sort with  none  but  those  / 
of  pure  blood,  they  are 
very  annoying  and  quar- 
relsome. At  the  slight- 
est difference  of  opinion 
with  their  masters  they 
will  growl  and  hiss  and 
spit,  and,  if  possible,  will 
strike  vigorous  blows  on 
the  face  or  hands  of  their 
owner,  leaving  five  little  red 
specks  that  mark  the  spot 
where  each  claw  has  drawn  blood 

In  England,  however,  there  are  now 
large  "catteries,"  where  pure-blooded 


Female  Angora  Cat 


From  painting  by  E.  Landor 


Male  Angora  Cat 

From  painting  by  E.  Landor 

care  than  dogs  intended  for  the  same  purpose. 
Their  wooden  cages  must  be  perfectly  dry, 
raised  some  feet  above  the  ground,  and  very 
carefully  divided  into  compartments  by  means 
of  iron  railings.  Each  niche  should  have 
straw  in  winter  for  bedding,  and 
each  compartment  must  be  sup- 
plied with  a  box  of  sawdust. 
Cages  made  of  masonry  are 
naturally  the  best,  being 
dryer  and  easier  to  clean. 
Sliding  wickets  allow  of 
the  food  being  pushed  in 
without  disturbing  the 
animal  or  giving  it  a 
chance  to  escape.  A  layer 
of  peat  dust  placed  under 
the  cages,  and  also  under 
the  straw,  absorbs  much 
dampness,  but  it  needs  to  be 
frecjuently  changed  or  aired. 
The  breeder  for  pure  blood 
J  will  not  obtain  satisfactory  re- 
^r  suits  for  some  years,  nor  until 
can  convince  himself  of  the 
qualities  of  his  animals.  There  are 
certain  prize-winning  cats  with  gene- 
alogical trees,  which  would  be  a  joy 


animals  are  lodged,   matched,   and 

multiplied.    The  fact  is,  the  English-   " '"" "  "'  to  the  breeder  if  he  could  get  posses- 

man  is  a  born  breeder.     Cats  that  are  prepared      sion  of  them.     He  could  then  be  sure,  or  nearly 
to  take  part  in  exhibitions  require  much  more      sure,  of  the  purity  of  the  blood  and  of  the  chances 


88 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


of  obtaining  the  color  and  the  hair  or  fur  that  who  desire  to  breed  cats  on  a  large  scale  for 
he  wants.  In  any  case,  it  is  essential  to  mate  sale  and  exhibitions.  The  ordinary  domestic 
cats  of  sound  health,  and  to  choose  for  father  cat  is  never  caged.  It  comes  and  goes,  keeps 
or  mother  some  more  or  less  known  and  admired  watch  on  the  mice,  gets  its  meals,  and  dis- 
appears for  hours,  sometimes  for 
da)s,  without  notifying  any  one  or 
asking  permission.  As  a  result  of 
these  escapades  pussy  now  and  again 
has  kittens,  to  the  great  amusement 
of  the  children. 

When  the  critical  day  arrives  (in 
about  eight  weeks)  the  mother  cat 
finds  for  herself  a  dark  and  quiet 
retreat.  It  is  well  to  give  her  an 
i)\->en  basket  with  something  soft  at 
the  bottom.  Give  her  also  all  the 
Blue  Cat  with  a  vkrv  Kk.makkablk  Head  ,.,.,111^  gj.|^j  wants  and  a  slight  purga- 

From  painting  by  E.  Landor  ^.^,^       ^^^^  produCCS  Usually  from  tWO 

cat,  a  prize  winner,  if  possible,  if  the  speedy      to  five  kittens  without  any  help.    Kittens  born 
sale  of  kittens  is  an  object.  in  the  spring  are  stronger  and  larger  than  those 

Innumerable  are  the  surprises  in  color  that      born  in  the  autumn.    The  mother  cat  takes  care 
occur  in  spite  of  all  precautions.    The  chances      of  the  little  ones  (which  are  born  blind)  herself, 
for   obtaining  what    is   desired     ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^    washes  them,  and  keeps  them 
black   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^.      and 
The  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  weeks, 
head  be  broad    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^L    things  can 

and    ^^I^^^^^^^H^I^^^^^^^^k  ^^ 
a  short  Blue    ^^|^^^^^P(|^^^^^^^^^^^^B    '^'^''^'^' 

eyes  are  much  in  re-    l^^^^^^^^pMfcl^WB^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^B    ''^"^ 

Sometimes.    PV^j^^^^HJ^ -^^^^^^^^^^|    """'''3^^' 
but  mere    L^^^^^KQ^P^^^^^^^^^^^^^H    the  weakest.   On  the 

the  litters    ■Hj^^l^K^^    ^^^^^^^^^^^^1    ^''"^^  '^^'^ 
of  white  cats  a  kitten    ^^^^^^^^Bl*'    ^  ^^^^^^^^^|    ^heir  eyes,  and  then 

be                       a  ^^^^^^K^^               ^^^^^^^^^1^  ^^^^            ^" 

blue  ^^^^^^P                         V^^^^^^^l  ^^°^^'^'                     '^^ 

really  ^^^^^^Mg/2^%            v  ^^^^^^^^1  ^'^'"^^^ 

and               a  |^^^^^Hli|k'  ^|k  ^l^^^^^^H  ' '  ^  ^  ^  '^ 

In  ^^^^^^^^Hlfli^  JhI^^^^^H  ^^'^■^' 

England  cats  of  pure  ^^^^^^^^^^^^M^^^^^^^^H  '^'^''^"S' 

blood  often             as  ^^^^^^^^^B^HV              .^^,^^^1  ^^^^^^^ 

much   as    twenty  ^^^^^^^^^^^^H         ,,^S^^H  *^'' 

pounds  ^^^^^^^^^^^^B    Jji^E^^H  "''°^^"">~g'^^^^ 

Generally  cats  are  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ftji^H^^^H  clumsiness    com- 

not  mated  until  they 


are  over  a  year  old. 
But  all  that  we  have 
hitherto  said  con- 
cerns those  persons 


XiKsiNo  AI(irin:R 


bined. 

The  mother,  of 
course,  must  be  well 
fed  during  this  time, 
or  she  will  not  have 


THE   CAT 


89 


milk  enough  for  the  little  ones. 

Milk,  bread,  a  little  meat  {but 

never   the    first   three    days), 

and  by  the  end  of  the  week 

her  usual  food,  with  an  ample 

supply  of  milk,  is  a  good  diet 

list.   When  the  time  comes  to 

wean  the  kittens  the  mother 

should  be  taken  away,  and  the 

kittens  taught  to  lap  sugared 

milk   from   a  saucer  ;   a  little 

limewater  added   to  the  milk 

is  beneficial.    At   the  end  of 

five   weeks,   when    the    teeth 

have   come   through,    a   little 

soft    bread   should   be   given. 

Thev    should    be   allowed    to 

be  in  the  open  air  as  much 

as  possible,  to  play  with  their 

mother,   and   to    make  acquaintance   with   the 

mice  which    she    will   present   to   them.    It  is 

very  droll  to  see  her  watch  their  proceedings 

with  that  hereditary  enemy. 

The  maternal  instinct  is  so  strong  in  cats 
that  they  have  been  known  to  suckle  puppies, 
rabbits,  and  even  rats.  In  a  certain  stable 
was  a  stall  in  which  five  young  rats  were  play- 
ing. A  mother  cat  had  five  kittens,  three  of 
which  were  taken  from  her  and  drowned. 
Pussv    went    to   the  stall,   caught    two  of   the 


Bkoux  Anodra  C.\t  (M.alk) 

Cats  are  much  more  cleanly  in  their  ways 
than  dogs;  and  kittens  can  easily  be  taught 
clean  habits. 

Fish,  from  time  to  time,  is  a  great  treat  to 
healthy  cats  ;  and  it  is  well  to  give  them  either 
raw   or    cooked    meat    every   day,    in    reason- 
able quantities.    It  is  to  be  remembered  that 
they  feed   themselves   with  mice,  and   in   the 
country  with  moles,  squirrels,  birds,  and  even 
rabbits.     Greediness,    the    cause    of    most    of 
their    ailments,    is    much    developed    in    cats. 
Punishment  does   not  cure  it, 
but  they  will  sometimes  pay  at- 
tention to  a  stern  order  given 
in  a  loud  voice. 

\'I1I.    Diseases  of  Cats 

Although  in  cases  of  actual 
illness  it  is  necessary,  as  in  the 
case  of  dogs,  to  call  in  a  veteri- 
narian, if  the  life  of  the  patient 
is  valuable,  yet  there  are  many 

little    ailments    easily    curable 
Celebrated  Persian  Cat,  "Fclma  Zaioki    "  .  ,  .       ,  ,.  . 

with  very  simple  remedies.    In 

From  painting  by  E.  Landor  ^^^^  ^^  diarrhea,  for  instance, 

little  rats,  suckled  them  and  brought  them  up,  from   which   cats   very  frequently   suffer,   rice 

which  was  all  the  more  remarkable  as  she  was  with   a   decoction    of    sorghum,   and   as    little 

a  noted  enemy  and  hunter  of  rats  and  mice.  food  as  possible,  will  effect  a  cure.     Diarrhea, 


go 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


however,  is  apt  to  weaken  the  animal,  and  a      ceremony.     Marriages  were  celebrated,  if  possi- 


watch  should  be  kept  for  this. 

Cutaneous  affections  are  very  disagreeable 
for  persons  who  live  in  the  house  with  cats 
thus  troubled  ;  they  are  contagious  to  other 
animals,  dogs  especially.    It  is  therefore  well 


ble,  on  Friday,  the  day  dedicated  to  F"reya,  and 
if  the  sun  shone  during  the  ceremony,  it  was 
said  that  the  bride  had  taken  good  care  of  the 
cat  and  had  fed  her  well.  Young  girls  in 
Norway  who  caress  cats  are  sure  of  a  hand- 


to  examine  even  healthy  cats  once  a  week,  and      some   husband  ;  but   if   one   of    those   animals 
if    the    slightest    suspicious    spot    appears,    to 
wash  the  animal  with  a  solution  of  borax  in 
water.     It  will  be  found  on  examination  that 
the  healthiest  and  finest  cats  are  seldom  free 
from  vermin.    If  red  spots,  or  pustules,  appear 
on  the  skin,  an  ointment  of  lard,  sulphur  dust, 
Peruvian    balsam,    and    creosote     should     be 
applied  ;   but  it  must  never  be  forgotten  that 
all    cats    are    perpetually    licking    themselves 
with  their  tongues.    The  ;«//(.'  of  a  cat,  a  tiny 
spider  which  harbors  especially 
in  the  ear,  gives  rise  to  a  species 
of  mange,  which  can  be  cured  by 
petroleum  or  any  of  the  mange 
remedies  that  arc  advertised. 
The  insect  or  flesh  worm  of  the 
mange  is   sometimes   communi- 
cated to  persons.    Cats  are  also 
tormented  at  times  with  worms, 
the  germs  of  which  they  get  from 
the  rats  and  mice  they  swallow. 
Any  vermifuge  will   remed)'  this  trouble,  but 
the  cat  should  be  kept  in  the  house,  so  as  to 
observe  the  effects  of  it.    The  madness  of  cats 
is  even  more  dangerous  than  that  of  dogs,  for 
they  bite  with  greater  violence.   Yet  we  never 
hear  of  muzzles  for  cats. 


YouNO  Tricolor  Cat 


lies  at  the  church  door  just  as  the  marriage  is 
about  to  be  celebrated,  the  union  of  the  two 
young  people  will  be  unhappy.  According  to 
an  old  legend  of  eastern  Prussia,  it  is  very 
dangerous  for  a  married  pair  if  two  cats  with 
their  tails  tied  together  run  along  the  road  in 
front  of  the  wedding  procession.  In  all  the 
mythologies  cats  play  a  part. 

The  popular  tale  of  Puss  in  Boots  is  known 
e\'erywhere,  but  what  is  not  so  well  known  is 
that  the  skull  of  a  "booted  cat  " 
is  preserved  in  the  osteological 
museum   at   Amsterdam.     Evi- 
dently this  cannot  be  a  joke  in 
so  grave  an  institution  ;   conse- 
quently  it    is    worth    while    to 
search  the  works  of  natural  his- 
tory and   find,  if  we  can,  a  de- 
scription  of   the   species   of  cat 
called    "  booted.."    In  the  great 
osteographical    history    of    De 
Blainville  (among  others)  we   find  mentirjn  of 
a  group  of  "  booted  cats,"  which  have  much 
in  common  with  our  domestic  animal,  as  far  as 
their  skeleton    is    concerned.     To    this   group 
belong  the  Nubian  cats  K'/i's  viainciilata  and 
Fclis  caligata  (from  which  probabl)'  came  the 
skull  preserved  in  the  Amsterdam  museum) : 
also  Fclis  Ihibastis,  the  cat  of  ancient  Egypt. 
The  name  of  "booted  cat"  was  first  given  to 
it,  according  to  Cuvier,  by  Bruce,  the  Egyptian 
tions  and  in  mythology.     A  study  of  the  origin      traveler,  on  account  of  its  legs,  which  are  black 

or  white  at  the  bottom  like  boots.  Temminck, 
who  baptized  the  species  in  his  Aloiiograph  of 
]\Ianiniifcrs  with  the  name  Fclis  caligata,  gives 
identically  the  same  description  of  it.  In  the 
zoological  garden  at  Amsterdam  there  is  now 
a  living  specimen  of  these  original  wild  cats  of 
Egypt ;  it  has  reddish-brown  ears  with  little 
tufts  at  the  points  of  them,  and  answers  pre- 
cisely to  the  descriptions  and  drawings  given  of 


IX.    Superstitions.     Historical  Notes 

We  ha\-e  already  spoken  of  phantom  cats, 
and  of  the  part  they  play  in  popular  supersti- 


of  legends  and  fairy  tales  would  shed  much 
light  into  the  still  obscure  lives  of  the  peoples 
of  past  ages.  Nearly  all  animals  appear  in  the 
fabulous  events  and  poetic  legends  that  have 
come  down  to  us  ;  but  the  cat,  in  its  character 
of  domestic  animal,  ])lays  the  chief  role.  In 
the  old  popular  beliefs  it  was  part  and  parcel 
of  the  dwelling.  A  new  cat  was  made  to  walk 
three    times   across    the    hearth    with    solemn 


THE   CAT 


91 


^'et 


it  by  Cuvier.     In  scientific  works  "  booted  cat  " 
sometimes  bears  the  name  of  "booted  lynx." 

In  tlie  seventeenth  century  it  was  not  un- 
common to  see,  especially  in  Amsterdam,  ti.t^- 
ures  of  cats  carved  on  the   fronts  of  houses. 
The  custom  came  about  in  this  \\3.\\ 
Civet  cats,  originating  in  North      .-' 
Africa,  and  greatly  prized, 
especially  in  Spain  where 
they    brought    hisxh 
prices,  were  import^' 
into  Holland  by  cer 
tain  merchants,  wh' ' 
formed  a  society  foi 
the  propagation  and 
sale  of  them,  and  took 
for  its  emblem  a  civ 
cat.   The  value  of  the  ani 
mal  came  from  a  gland  or  lia 
under  its  tail,  containing  a  sub 
stance  that  was  made  into  a  perfume    ,, 

"^  USES  OF 

and  also  into  a  remedy.    Towards  the 
close  of  the  seventeenth  century  this  industry 
disappeared  for  the  simple  reason  that  the  musk 
plant  was  discovered  ;   but  the  civet  cat  still 
lingers  on  the  architecture  of  Amsterdam. 

Speaking  of  architecture  reminds  us  that 
withered  cats  are  found  from  time  to  time 
under  or  between  the  walls  of  old  houses. 
They  are  marvelously  well  preserved  ;  death 
has  caught  and  stiffened  them 
in  the  moment  of  their  utmost 
agony.  Their  remarkable  pres- 
ervation comes,  no  doubt, 
from  the  fact  that  the  animal 
has  thrust  itself  through  some 
very  narrow  aperture,  so 
narrow  that  no  air  comes 
through  it,  and  the  poor  crea- 
ture dies,  and  withers  without 
decaying. 

We  frequently  find  cats  in 
heraldic  art.  The  wife  of  King 
Clovis  bore  a  cat  sable  on  her 
blazon  ;  and  the  Katzen  family 
of  the  present  day  bears  an 
argent  cat  on  an  azure  field. 
The  celebrated  printers  Sessa, 


of  Venice,  always  placed  a  cat  device  on  the 
last  page  of  their  editions.  The  Romans  painted 
cats  on  several  of  the  banners  of  their  legions. 
The  famous  cohort  (subdivision  of  the  legion) 
nf  the  llapjiy  Old  Men — Felices  seniores  — 
-  .^  bore  a  banner  with  a  red  cat 
landing  on  a  gold  ground. 

X.   Tr.mmng  and 
Mice  Hunting 

The  word  "training" 
in  its  true  sense 
applies,  naturally, 
far  less  to  cats  than 
to  dogs.  They  are 
not  used  for  ordinaiy 
hunting,  though  in 
Cyprus  they  are  taught  to 
unt  snakes,  and  in  Russia 
the  domestic  cat  catches  great 
quantities  of  those  reptiles  in  sum- 
mer. This  same  trait  is  not  un- 
known in  America.  In  Paraguay  cats  attack  and 
kill  rattlesnakes.  They  will  also  catch  tortoises, 
and  do  good  service  during  plagues  of  grass- 
hoppers, locusts,  and  cockchafers,  of  which 
they  destroy  enormous  quantities.  But  in  all 
this  there  is  no  question  of  training  ;  instinct 
and  natural  impulse  are  the  sole  guides  to  their 
behavior.   There  arc,  of  course,  instances  of  cats 


,\N  Old  H.\t 


BOOTEU   C.\T 


92 


ol:r  domestic  animals 


A  DANCiERous   Plaything 

trained  to  jump  over  a  stick,  to  ride  horseback 
upon  dogs,  and  even  to  dance  to  the  word  of 
command.  But  tricks  of  this  kind,  suitable  only 
for  fairs  and  circuses,  can  be  taught  just  as 
easily  to  pigs  and  cockatoos  ;  in  fact,  the  cats 
which,  by  dint  of  patience,  have  been  taught 
these  things  must  be  regarded  as  great  excep- 
tions. If  it  is  desired  to  teach  anything  to  a 
cat,  the  utmost  gentleness  must  be  used,  for 
cats  fear  and  resent  blows  and  harsh  words 
far  more  than  a  dog  ever  does. 

There  is   no   question   of  training  a  cat  to 
catch   mice.    All   of  them    do   not   do  it   with 


the  same  agility,  and  it  is  claimed  that  the 
common,  striped,  gray  domestic  cat  is  foremost 
in  the  art.  It  may  be  that  cats  of  that  color 
come  nearest  to  the  wild  cat,  but  it  is  more 
probable  that  the  colur  is  not  so  easily  seen  by 
the  little  nidciils.     A  baker  or  a  miller  ou"lit, 


.\|1S(III|-.|-- 

therefore,  to  keep  white  cats  to  save  his  grain, 
because  where  all  is  white  a  cat  of  a  dark  color 
would  be  seen  more  easily. 

A  cat  kept  exclusively  to  hunt  mice  must 
not  be  deprived,  as  is  sometimes  the  case,  of 
other  food.    To  do  so  is  more  than  imprudent. 


■■ 

IP 

^1 

^^^B^^^^^^^^^^^^l 

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^^77t     .^^^^^1^^^ 

^^^^^^^^^^^^H 

^^Vf'^^^^  ''^^^H 

Un^X         0 

^^^^B  ^^^^^^^^^H 

K  "^^  ^ 

Btrj^Ary .    m 

■  'JSL*;    ■ 

^^Hb<<>^ 

H  y  ^H 

jd^^^^^^BV^        ^^K^''^'^  jft^  '^^1 

K  O 

r  w  BB 

^^^v'JNp. 

IkJL.  Jf/M 

Wife-^ttO'^ftwJiBW 

jlsylii 

^Us^K^.pwu 

s^  .--■«•-■■ 

H^£4^ 

'^^hF 

ii^^^^^pqi^ 

<^^  i  >.  -  ji^ftt,^^^^!^ 

i^^ 

^i^ 

. .   '"  .  . 

Making  Acquaintance  with  I'hotographv 


THE   CAT 


93 


In  the  first  place,  mice  do  not 
afford  sLifificient  nourishment, 
and  the  hungry  hunters  will 
soon  learn  to  go  after  birds 
and  chickens  ;  or  they  will  seek 
other  food,  often  very  injurious, 
and  so  fall  ill  and  die. 

The  patience  of  a  cat  when 
watching  a  mouse  is  really  un- 
speakable, but  as  soon  as  the 
favorable  moment  arrives  it 
moves  forward,  its  belly  to 
earth,  gently  shaking  its  hind 
quarters,  that  the  elasticity  of 
its  hind  legs  may  be  in  com- 
munion with  the  rest  of  the 
body  ;  then  the  spring  is  made, 
and  it  never  misses  its  stroke. 
Trainers,  bow  your  heads ! 
Here  Nature  has  trained,  and 
the  pupil  has  absorbed  the 
science  in  its  blood,  in  its  mar- 
row, and  in  every  muscle. 

XI.   The  Cat's  VV.av  of 
Climbing  and  Falling 

Young  cats  love  to  climb,  a 
pleasure  readily  granted  to 
them,  for  however  hazardous 
their  performances  may  appear, 
there  is  usually  little  danger. 
Thanks  to  its  sharp  claws  a  cat 
can  climb  a  tree  very  rapidly, 
as  can  tigers  and  other  felines  ; 
the  taste,  however,  among  tame 
animals  seems  confined  to  kit- 
tens and  young  cats.  Old  cats 
apply  this  faculty  only  to  attain 
some  purpose,  —  to  reach  the 
top  of  the  garden  wall  or  the 
gutter  of  the  house.  When  cats 
fall  from  a  considerable  height 
they  come  down  safe  nine  times 
out  of  ten ;  but  it  is  an  exag- 
geration to  say  that  they  always 
fall  on  their  feet,  that  is  to  say, 
without  any  accident,  for  we 
could   cite    many   instances    in 


Climbing 


94 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


which  they  arc  killed  on  the  spot.  Nevertheless, 
the  fact  is  generally  true,  for  they  know  how  to 
turn  and  twist  while  falling,  so  that  the  center 
of  gravity  gets  placed  in  such  a  way  as  to  oblige 
the  body  to  make  a  half  turn  at  the  last,  bring- 
ing the  feet  to  the  ground.  A  cat  once  fell 
from  the  fifth  story  of  a  house,  and  though  be- 


How  stealthily,  treacherously,  it  creeps  along, 
like  the  cunning  thief  it  is  !  .  .  . 

Buffon,  as  we  see,  was  no  friend  to  cats  ; 
but  long  before  his  day  they  had  cruel  enemies 
who  fought  them  more  directly.  In  1747 
Archbishop  Clement  Augustus  of  Cologne 
published  an  edict   that  all   cats  should  have 


wildered  for  a  moment,  picked  itself  up  quickly      their  ears  cut  off.    This  singular  measure  was 


intended  to  protect  hares  and  young  pheasants. 
The  poor  maimed  creatures  would   no  longer 
go  marauding,  or  what  is  still  more  probable, 
the   subjects   of   the   prelate   would  feel 
their  affection  for  the  animal  cool- 
ing  after   such   disfigurement. 
Moreover,  every  ear  not  cut 
off  was  subject  to  a  fine  of 
a  quarter  of  a  florin. 
Madame   de    Custine,    a 
great  friend  of  cats,  took 
up    their    defense.      She 
wrote,  among  others,  to 
Champfleury,  another 
friend  of  pussy,  saying  that 
they  deserved  to  be  placed 
efore  dogs,  whose  attachment 
nd  fidelity  was  too  mechanical, 
whereas  we  could  not  too  much  ad- 
mire the  independence  of  cats. 

There  are  many  extravagant  judg- 
ments pronounced  by  partisans  and 
should  love  to  paint  the  figure  of  a  seated  cat  adversaries  of  the  feline  race.  The  sportsman, 
beside  the  old  dame  knitting  near  the  cradle  in  especially,  cries  out,  "  Death  to  cats  !  "  It  is 
a  tranquil  home  !  true  that  these  animals  can  and  do  cause  great 

damage  to  game  and  poultry.     The  wild  cats 
XII.    For  and  Against  ^^st  certainly  be  regarded  as  beasts  of  prey, 

In  all  that  we  have  so  far  said  there  is  surely  deserving  of  antipathy  and  of  all  the  measures 
no  ground  for  an  injunction  against  cats;  the  taken  for  their  destruction;  but  the  domestic 
fors  certainly  have  it  all  their  own  way.  But  cat,  provided  it  is  not  left  to  care  for  itself, 
let  us  now  turn  our  eyes  to  the  againsts.  We  does  not  do  the  mischief  that  many  persons 
will  take  Buffon  to  witness.  He  does  not  spare  imagine.  In  any  case,  it  is  easy  to  take  effectual 
poor  pussy ;  he  thinks  her  "  an  animal  that  measures  against  it  without  resorting  to  tor- 
deserves  no  confidence  ;  which  should  be  kept  tures,  such  as  setting  traps,  or  to  open  murder 
only  from  necessity,  to  guard  against  another      by  means  of  dogs. 


and  scampered  away. 

A  cat  seated  is  an  ideal  image  of  repose. 
No  other  animal  conveys  such  an  impression  of 
perfect  rest  and  quiet  meditation.  The 
dog,  which  is  much  nearer  to  man 
by  reason  of  his  development 
cannot  equal  the  cat  in  that 
position.  The  graceful 
pose,  the  perpendicular 
front  slope,  the  hind  legs 
wrapped  by  the  supple 
tail,  the  short  and  vigor- 
ous neck  meeting  the 
back  in  a  pretty  little 
curve,  and  the  beautiful 
round  head  with  its  pointed 
ears  give  to  the  seated  cat  a 
singularly  peaceful  air,  to  which 
the  contented  expression  of  its  neatly 
cut  face  contributes  much.  Is  it  sur- 
prising that  the  artist's  eye  has  been 
so  struck  by  this  attitude  that  he 


"  They  mean  to  fling 
ME  into  the  Water" 


unpleasant  animal  —  the  mouse.  At  night, 
instead  of  sleeping  near  its  master,"  contin- 
ues the  learned  naturalist,  "  it  rambles  off, 
through  woods  and  fields,  pursuing  and  de- 
stroying   game.     How   many    nests    it    ruins ! 


The  usefulness  of  the  cat  after  death  is 
relatively  small,  provided  we  except  the  intes- 
tines, which  are  used  for  making  violin  strings, 
and  the  pelt,  which  appears  in  commerce  as  a 
real  fur. 


THE   CAT 


95 


XIII.    The  Cat  as  a  Mummv 

We  cannot  take  leave  of  the  cat  without 
visiting  with  amazement  and  profound  respect 
its  mummied  ancestors  as  they  appear  in  vari- 
ous museums  ;  with  amazement,  because  the 
ancient  Egyptians,  highly  developed  in  many 
ways,  held  the  cat  in  such  esteem  that  they 
embalmed  its  body  ;  and  with  respect,  because 
of  the  conscientious  manner  in  which  the  em- 
balming was  done,  so  that  after  thousands  of 
years  these  mummied  bodies  can  be  brought 
to  light  exactly  as  they  were  when  buried. 

It  has  not,  so  far,  been  decided  why  the 
Egyptians  regarded  the  cat  as  a  divinity. 
According  to  Plutarch  there  is  an  affinity 
between  this  animal  and  the  moon,  first,  be- 
cause the  cat  is  a  nocturnal  animal ;  secondly, 
because  it  brings  into  the  world  first  one  little 
one,  then  two,  three,  four,  five,  up  to  twenty- 
eight,  the  number  of  days  in  the  lunar  month. 
Perhaps  this  latter  reason  is  the  cause  of  its 
adoration  as  a  divinity.  In  the  grotto  of  Arte- 
mis, near  the  ancient  Bubastis,  there  are 
several  cats  which  were  buried  there  with 
great  ceremony  in  the  midst  of  costly  fetes. 
Herodotus  relates  that  as  soon  as  the  cat  of 
an  Egyptian  died  profound  sadness  took  pos- 
session of  the  whole  family,  who  put  on  deep 
mourning.  The  noble  dead  was  laid  out  in 
state,  embalmed  with  precious  spices,  and 
taken  to  Bubastis,  where  (as  well  as  at  Mem- 
phis) obsequies  were  performed  which  often 
cost  as  much  as   nine  thousand  ancrcs. 

Mummies  of  cats  which  had  li\cd  in  the 
temple  of  the  goddess  Pasht  were  treated 
with  extreme  veneration,  and  we  find  in  their 


tombs  great  numbers  of  gold  ornaments  bear- 
ing the  same  letters  as  those  found  in  the 
tombs  of  kings.  Also  there  are  mummies  of 
women  which  bear  the  inscription  tec/tan,  — 
cat,  —  signifying  that  they  were  protected  by 
the  goddess  of  that  animal. 

Dr.  Etienne  Geoffroy  was  the  first  man  to 
study  the  skeleton  of  an  Egyptian  mummy  cat. 
He  discovered  that  the  animal  differed  in  no 
particular  from  the  domestic  cat  of  Europe  and 
America,  —  a  discovery  which  was  contested  by 
another  learned  naturalist  named  Ehrenberg, 
who  insisted  that  the  existing  mummies  were 
the  remains  of  the  Abyssinian  cat  in  its  wild 
state,  an  opinion  shared  by  Blainville.  The 
latter  very  learned  professor  of  anatomy  made 
a  searching  study  of  these  mummies,  in  which 
he  distinguished  three  species,  —  the  Felis 
Caligata,  the  Bubastis,  and  the  Cliaus.  The 
two  first  are  still  foimd  in  a  wild  state  in  cer- 
tain parts  of  Egypt.  Careful  search  made  by 
learned  Egyptologists  shows  that  the  linen 
wrapped  around  all  the  cat  mummies  that  have 
so  far  been  found  is  of  fine  quality,  the  same 
as  that  wrapped  around  kings. 

In  these  days  there  is  no  such  thing  as 
embalming  a  cat ;  instead  of  that  we  sweep 
them  on  to  the  manure  heap  or  fling  them 
into  the  water.  No  one  ever  dreams  of  bury- 
ing them,  unless  in  some  very  exceptional  case, 
when  a  petted  cat  is  put  to  rest  in  a  dogs' 
cemetery.  Nevertheless,  one  cat  is  recorded 
as  having  been  embalmed  and  mummified  in 
the  fourteenth  century.  It  was  Petrarch's  cat, 
which  died  in  1374,  and  was  long  seen  incased 
above  the  door  of  the  poet's  house  at  Vaucluse. 


Ill 

THE    HORSE 


I.    The  Land  of  his  Origin  and  his 
Ancestors 

It  is  from  the  vast  steppes  oi  northern  Asia, 
where  the  tempests  rage  and  man  can  scarcely 
live,  that  the  horse  has  come.  He  did  not  come 
(if  himself,  nor  has  he  ever  given  himself  wholly 
t(i  man,  like  the  dog.  On  the  contrary,  even 
now  in  his  civilized  state,  he  turns  his  back,  and 
sometimes  his  heels,  on  those  he  does  not  recog- 
nize, if  they  come  too  near  him. 

Feeding  on  those  illimitable  plains,  the  wild 
horse  learned  to  perceive  at  a  great  distance 
the   approach  of  his  enemies,  the  wild  beasts. 
The    quick   ears   pricked,  a  short  neigh 
sounded,  and  the  horde  dashed  away 
with  the  speed  of  the  wind.    He  fled 
before  all  strange  life,  and  conse 
quently  before  man,  who  sought 
to  capture  him  fur  his  flesh  and 
his  skin.     Here  we  come   upon 
the    great    natural    motive,   the 
first   cause   of   the    drawing   to- 
gether of  man  and  animals,  — 
hunger  and  its  satisfying.    This 
is  proved  by  the  enormous  quan 
tity  of  horses'  bones  found   in  the 
caves  of  prehistoric  man.    The  skulls 
and    the    cleft    bones    show    that    fles 
marrow,    and    brains    served    as    food 
dwellers  in  those  caverns. 


more  for  his  good  qualities  when  at  last  he 
resigned  himself  and  understood  what  was 
wanted  of  him.  His  speed  made  the  first  great 
impression  upon  man  ;  in  fact,  there  are  coun- 
tries where  his  name  comes  to  him  from  that 
quality.  In  Hebrew,  in  Egyptian,  and  in  some 
other  ancient  languages  the  word  si/s  stands 
for  "horse"  and  for  "swallow."  The  Greek 
word /////('j- signifies  "rapid."  When  the  horse 
was  seen  for  the  first  time  at  Malacca  he  was 
called  kuda-barons:,  the  horse  bird. 

The  people  of  the  steppes  finally  identified 
themselves    wholly    with    their    steeds.     The 
Mongols,  horsemen  from  time  immemorial, 
show  it  in  their  shape  and  their  atti- 
tude ;   they  have  made,  so  to  speak, 
the  horseman  type,  —  curved  legs 
\    and   the  upper  part  of  the  body 
bending  forward.    They  sleep  on 
their  horses,  live  with  them,  boast 
of  them,  and  love  them  more  than 
wife  or  child. 

The  wild  horse  still  exists,  how- 
ever ;    he   can   be   found    in   the 
southern  regions  of  Siberia,  on  the 
plains  of  Mongolia,  among  the  Ural 
Mountains,  and  in  America,  where  he 
s  a  descendant  of  the  horse  stock  brought 
to    the      over  by  the  Spanish  explorers.    As  late  as  the 
second    half   of    the    twelfth    century    he    was 


It  was  probably  not  until  much  later  that      hunted  in  Spain,  in  the  Belgian  Ardennes,  in 


the  horse  was  tamed  and  subjected  to  the  will 
of  man.  The  people  of  the  steppes,  surrounded 
by  wild  animals  of  all  kinds,  learned  to  capture 
the  laggards  and  stragglers,  and  from  this 
dates  a  memorable  epoch  in  the  relations  of 
man  to  the  animal  kingdom.  In  all  probability 
a  number  of  the  smaller  animals  had  sub- 
mitted, while  the  great  horse  still  protested 
vehemently  against  enslavement.  It  is  likely 
that  it  was  not  by  gentleness  (as  in  our  day) 


Italy,  and  in  the  south  and  east  of  what  is 
now  Germany.  Later  still  wild  horses  inhabited 
the  forests  of  Russia,  and  in  the  seventeenth 
century  were  hunted  in  Poland  and  in  Lithu- 
ania. Those  that  were  captured  alive  were 
kept  like  cattle  in  inclosures,  where  they 
were  trained  for  either  riding  or  draft,  chiefly 
for  the  former  purpose.  Mare's  milk,  which 
is  still  greatly  esteemed  for  cheese  or  whey 
(koumiss)    among    the    Tartars,    was    a    chief 


that  he  was  first  subdued,  which  says  all  the      article  of  food. 

96 


THE   HORSE 


97 


Thus  it  was  that  the  horse  came  from  a 
wild  to  a  semiwild  state,  till  at  last  he  reached 
the  condition  of  a  domesticated  animal.  It  is 
to  be  remarked  that  the  farther  he  came  from 
the  steppes  of  northern  Asia  the  longer  time 
it  seems  to  have  taken  to  domesticate  and 
utilize  him.  In  all  directions  the  e.xplorer  finds 
that  the  breeding  and  training  of  horses  is  an 
art  which  the  peoples  of  Europe  have  learned 
from  their  neighbors  on  the  east  and  north- 
east. It  is  ec[ually  remarkable  that  in  Russia, 
which     serves    as    an    intermediary    between 


As  for  their  distribution  in  cities  and  coun- 
try places,  that  depends  on  circumstances. 
The  relation  between  production  and  demand 
naturally  exercises  great  influence  in  certain 
countries.  In  the  United  States,  which  sup- 
plies its  needs  chiefly  by  its  own  production, 
the  relative  numbers  show  that  about  four  fifths 
of  the  total  number  of  horses  are  employed  in 
agriculture  or  for  draft  purposes,  the  remaining 
fifth  being  in  private  use,  chiefly  in  the  cities. 

In  1899  Paris  had  93,052  horses,  and  in 
1900  statistics  show  a  record  of  98,284,  —  an 


A    F.\Mn.V    P.ARTV 


Europe  and  Asia,  horses  are  still  found  in  far 
greater  numbers  than  elsewhere,  and  so  are  the 
races  of  horsemen. 

The  horse  has  always  retained  the  principal 
and  best  qualities  of  his  ancestors,  —  speed  and 
strength.  These  qualities,  which  served  him 
once  for  flight  only,  are  now  employed  in  the 
service  of  humanity.  Let  us  therefore  caress 
that  lowered  head  and  rightly  appreciate  this 
quadruped,  larger  and  stronger  than  ourselves, 
as  one  of  the  most  useful  and  most  indispen- 
sable of  the  domestic  animals. 

II.    The  Breeds  of   Horses 


In  spite  of  motor  cars,  steam,  and  electricity 
le  number  of  horses  is  still 
mouslv  throughout  the  world. 


the  number  of  horses  is  still  increasing  enor- 


increase  of  5200  horses  in  a  single  city  in  one 
year.  This  shows  that  just  as  photography 
has  not  killed  portrait  painting,  so  the  bicycle 
has  not  killed  horseback  riding,  for  riding  is 
an  art,  and  the  arts  die  not.  It  remains  to  be 
seen  w'hether  motor  cars  can  kill  the  driving  of 
horses,  which  also  is  an  art,  and  a  great  one. 

In  the  United  States  the  number  of  horses 
has  increased  nearly  sixty  per  cent  in  twenty- 
five  years,  showing  how  great  is  the  role  that 
the  horse  plays  to-day  in  all  our  social  and 
domestic  relations. 

A  vast  international  commerce  in  horses 
goes  on  at  all  times.  The  countries  that  con- 
tribute most  to  this  commerce  are  Russia,  Hun- 
gary, Roumania,  Denmark,  and  the  United 
States.    In   1S97   this  commerce  between   the 


98 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Half-Blood  Mare  of  Holsteix 

different  countries  amounted  in  round  number: 
to  two  hundred  thousand  horses  at  a  tuta 
value  of  $30,000,000. 

Horses  now  existing  may  be  dividetl 
into  two  great  groups :  the  heavy, 
cool-blooded  horses  of  western 
Europe,  called  also  the  horses  ot 
Armorica;  and  the  lighter,  hot- 
blooded  horses  of  Eastern  origin. 
This  difference  relates  to  character 
and  temperament,  the  Eastern  horses 
being  ardent,  quick,  susceptible, 
courageous,  sometimes  restive  ;  while 
those  of  the  West  are  calm,  ecjuable, 
slow,  and  docile. 

Russia,  with  her  vast  plains,  is  the 
land  par  excellence  of  horses.  In  1 886 
the  number  of  Kirghiz  families  in- 
habiting the  steppes  of  Siberia  north 
of  Turkestan  was,  in  round  numbers, 
three  hundred  thousand,  the  poorest 
of  whom  owned  from  fifteen  to  twentv  horses. 


while  the  rich  owned  many  thousands.  The 
Russian  horses  may  be  divided  into  three 
groups,  —  those  of  the  steppes,  those  of  the 
peasants,  and  those  of  the  stud.  The  first  two 
form  the  transition  from  the  wild  horse  to  the 
civilized  horse.  All  Russian  horses  of  the  first 
two  groups  are  horses  of  the  steppes,  or 
descended  from  them,  and  in  their  e.xterior 
they  nearly  always  present  the  Oriental  type. 
The  horses  of  the  steppes  are  born  there,  and 
live  a  free  life  in  large  herds,  or  else  in  small 
groups  of  five  or  six.  They  feed  during  most 
of  the  year  on  the  grass  of  the  steppes.  To 
these  belong  the  wild  horse  of  the  region  and 
the    semiwild   ones   belonging    to    the    Kirghiz 


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Head  of  Horse  f.orn-  White  (Albino) 

the  Kalmucks  ;   also  those  of  the  Don  and 
the  Caucasus. 

The  peasant  horses  of  Russia  are  no 
longer  reckoned  among  the  horses  of  the 
steppes,  although  they  are  descended  from 
them.  All  the  horses  that  we  have  men- 
tioned so  far  are  of  pure  blood  ;  but  in  the 
third  grou]),  those  of  the  stud  and  of  civil- 
ized Europe  and  America,  we  find  new 
breeds  produced  under  the  influence  of 
man,  either  by  crossbreeding  with  foreign 
races  or  by  modifications  of  life  and  habit. 
The  horses  of  the  Kirghiz,  which  are 
those    of   Asia  to   the    northeast  of   the 


THE    HORSE 


99 


Caspian  Sea,  are  frequently  exported  to  Russian  cream,  white  spotted  with  red,  or  sorrel.    This 

Europe,  especially  for  military  service.     Droves  horse,  like  the  wild  one  in  the  mountains  and 

of  these  dirt}-,  half-wild,  but  extremely  hardy  river  bottoms  of  the  western  part  of  the  United 

animals  can  be  seen  at  the  fairs  in  the  southwest  States,  excels  in  vigor,  speed,  and  e.xtraordinary 


On  TiiK  Ro.M)  IN  Ohio 


of  Europe.  Their  height  is  not  more  than 
fourteen  hands  ;  their  heads  are  well  formed, 
with  eyes  full  of  expression,  and  quick,  alert 
ears  ;  the  neck  is  short  and  rounded  in  front, 
the  withers  high,  and  the  back  straight  or 
slightly  curved  ;  the  haunches  are  broad  and 
hiL;h,  the  nnnp  rather  slc)|)ini;',  the  lc;;s  slmrt  hut 


power  of  endurance  under  fatigue  and  hunger. 
He  will  go  for  several  consecutive  days  with- 
out food,  and  can  easily  do  from  forty  to  sixty 
miles  a  day,  covering  from  five  to  ten  miles 
an  hour,  and  even  more.  He  can  bear  all 
weathers,  and  may  be  used  either  for  riding 
(J)-  as   a   draft    burse. 


Spotted  Horses  of  the  Steppes 


well  developed,  and  the  hoofs  small  and  firm. 
The  hair  is  short  and  fine  in  summer,  and 
coarse  and  long  in  winter ;  that  of  the  tail  and 
mane  is  thick.    Their  color  is  usually  light-bay, 


The  horses  of  the  Calmucks,  like  those  pre- 
ceding, are  horses  of  the  steppes,  belonging  to 
these  nomad  tribes.  We  meet  them  between 
the  Ural  Mountains  and  the  Volga.    They  are 


lOO 


OUR  DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


rather  taller  than  the  Kirghiz  horses,  but  have 
nearly  the  same  characteristics.  The  Calmucks 
are  excellent  horsemen,  and  long-distance  races 


CubSACKS    Ol     THE    GUARD  (RUSSIA) 

are  much  in  favor  with  them,  as  they  are  also 
among  the  Kirghiz.  The  riders  take  with  them 
neither  food  nor  drink,  and  make  no  stop  for 
rest.  The  competitors  are  drawn  up  in  a 
straight  line,  and  at  a  signal  rush  away  with 
the  greatest  speed.  The  first  to  arrive  at  the 
terminus  receives  a  prize,  which  is  often  very 
large,  sometimes  a  hundred  horses,  from 
one  to  two  hundred  sheep,  a  number  of 
camels,  valuable  weapons,  etc.  The 
second  prize,  on  the  contrary,  is  very 
small,  often  only  one  sheep. 

As  it  is  thought  shameful  not  to  reach 
the  goal,  the  horses  which  are  e.xhausted 
by  the  run  are  sometimes  dragged   by 
ropes   across   the   wanning   line.     These 
Mongol   nomads    are   far   from   kind    to 
their  beasts;    they  guide   them  with    a 
rough  hand,  and  give  them  no  food  but 
what  the  steppe   affords.     The   manner 
in  which  they  protect  them  from  cold  is 
both  cruel  and  unique.    When  the  ani- 
mals come  back  from  a  long  run,  in  a 
temperature  of  from  twenty  to  thirty  degrees 
below  zero,  there  are  no  stables  to  shelter  them 
and  blankets  are  unknown.  The  Mongols  simply 


pour  water  over  their  backs,  which  freezes 
instantly  and  prevents  the  heat  of  then- 
bodies  from  escaping. 

The  horses  of  the  Cossacks 
of  the  Don   are  found  on  the 
prairies  that  border  that  river 
and  its  affluents.    They  are  not 
handsome,  but  they  are  robust 
and   swift.    Their  muscles  are 
well  developed  in  every  part  of 
their  body  ;   the  eyes  are  small, 
the  ears  alert,  the  withers  long 
and  high,  the  back  short  and 
straight,  the  loins  robust,  the 
croup   broad,   the  chest  not 
broad,   but   deep   and  well 
formed  ;   the  flanks  are  round, 
the  belly  sometimes  rather  in- 
drawn, the  legs  long  and  power- 
ful, the  tail  thick  and  long,  and 
the  mane  short  and  full.    Their 
color  is  usually  chestnut,  dark 
brown,  or  white.    The  whole  animal  is  built  to 
travel  long  distances  without  fatigue.    His  gait 
is  free  and  firm,  but  a  steady  trot  is  the  one 
that   suits  him   least.     It   is   at   a   gallop   and 
when  he  has  to  clear  obstacles  in  his  way  that 
he   shows   to   most    advantage.    Though   quite 
ignorant  of  fear,  he  is  touchy  and  skittish. 


Ready  for  Transport  (Libou,  Russia) 


In  the  present  day  the  old  breed  of  the  Don 
horses  is  being  improved  and  ennobled  by  cross- 
ing them  with  thoroughbred  stallions.    In  1882 


I02 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


BiTjdUG  Stallion  (Russian) 

more  than  four  hundred  thousand  of  these 
horses  were  counted  on  the  territory  of  the 
Cossacks  of  the  Don.  They  are  so  well  known 
for  their  fine  qualities  as  riding  horses  that 
they  are  exported  in  great  numbers  not  only  to 
other  parts  of  Russia  but  also  to  Austria, 
Hungary,  Prussia,  and  the  Balkans. 

The  horses  of  the  Balkans  are  especially 
mountain  horses,  but  in  their  habits  of  life 
they  bear  some  relation  to  those  of  the  steppes. 
The  best  of  the  race  show  a  close  re- 
lationship with  Persian  and  Arabian 
horses  ;  like  them,  their  bones  are 
delicate  though  strong,  their  muscles 
well  developed,  and  their  coats  soft 
and  glossy.  Their  color  is  very  beau- 
tiful, often  a  golden-red,  with  mane 
and  tail  of  the  darkest  brown.  Special 
breeds  among  them  are  known  by  the 
general  name  of  Circassian  horses. 

The  horses  of  the  Russian  peas- 
ants, used  for  agricultural  labor,  dif- 
fer radically  from  the  light,  fleet 
riding  horses  we  have  just  described. 
They  bear  the  general  name  of  peas- 
ant or  cool-blooded  horses,  and  pre- 
dominate in  numbers,  there  being 
about  seventeen  million  of  them,  as 
many  of  this  class  in  Russia  as  of 
all  kinds  in  the  United  States.    The 


Bitjougs  belong  to  this  family.  They 
take  their  name  from  an  affluent  of 
the  Don,  and  are  chiefly  found  on 
the  plains  between  the  Volga  and  that 
river,  to  the  north  of  the  Cossacks 
of  the  Don.  They  are  descended  in 
part  from  males  brought  from  the 
Low  Countries  by  Peter  the  Great ; 
later  still  the  race  has  had  some 
mingling  of  Oriental  blood.  The  Bit- 
i(_)Ugs  are  tall  and  vigorously  built. 
Their  broad  chest,  their  stout  body 
and  solid  back,  their  neck  heavily 
muscled,  their  strong  sinewy  legs, 
short  pasterns,  and  solid  hoofs  mark 
them  for  draft  animals.  They  are 
not  only  strong,  but  are  also  ener- 
getic, willing,  and  obedient.  Thanks 
to  their  steady,  even  trot,  they  are  often  used 
for  riding  as  well  as  for  draft. 

These  and  other  of  the  Russian  peasant 
horses  came  originally  from  the  steppes.  In 
times  of  famine,  when  thousands  of  horses 
perish,  great  droves  of  steppe  horses  are  im- 
ported into  European  Russia,  where  they  are 
used  for  field  labor,  but  their  fate  is  none  the 
better  for  it.  The  prairies  of  Russia  in  Europe 
often  afford  less  food  than  the  steppes  of  Asia  ; 


Orloff  Mare  (Russian  Trotter) 


THE   HORSE 


103 


and  though  the  animals 
may  not  be  forced  to 
scratch  up  the  snow  in 
winter  to  get  at  the 
grass,  the  straw,  often 
rotten,  on  which  the 
peasants  feed  them  is 
certainly  no  better.  The 
poor  animals  share  the 
pitiful  fate  of  the  Rus- 
sian peasants,  —  hunger, 
thirst,  and  misery. 

The  racers,  next  in 
rank  after  the  American 
trotting  horse,  are  the 
creation  of  Count  Orloff, 


Oldenburg  Coach  Horse  (M.^re) 
Two  and  a  half  years  old 


and  they  are  named  Orloffs  after  him.  In  con- 
sequence of  continual  admixture  of  Oriental, 
English,  and  Dutch  blood  the  Orloff  stock  has 
become  what  it  is  to-day,  —  a  beautiful  and 
noble  animal,  sometimes  a  little  narrow  and 
leggy,  not  deep  enough  in  the  chest, 
the  croup  dome  shaped,  sloping  down 
on  all  sides,  but  revealing  his  East- 
ern origin  by  the  shape  of  his  head, 
the  expression  of  his  eyes,  the  fine 
form  of  the  neck  and  shoulders,  the 
strength  of  his  sinewy  legs,  and  by 
other  qualities.  Though  there  may 
be  in  their  exterior  something  not 
wholly  satisfactory  to  the  eye  of  a 
connoisseur,  these  horses  should  be 
judged  when  at  work.  The  equable 
cadence  of  their  movements,  their 
incredible  swiftness,  their  carriage, 
their  endurance,  have  passed  into 
a  proverb.  The  principal  colors  are 
gray  and  black,  in  which  the  Orloffs 
themselves  have  remained  faithful  to 
their  Frisian  ancestors. 

In  the  Old  World,  after  Russia, 
Germany  has  the  largest  number  of 
horses  ;  they  are  particularly  numer- 
ous on  the  plains  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  country.  Yet  that  country  is 
not  rich  in  original  races.  On  the 
contrary,  its  famous  black  horse  of 
the  days  of  chivalry,  when  brute  force 


was  the  one  thing  neces- 
sary, has  been  super- 
seded by  crossbred 
animals  employed  for 
nobler  purposes.  In 
general,  the  Germans  of 
the  Middle  Ages  used 
heavy  horses,  whereas 
small  horses  or  ponies 
abounded  along  the 
coasts  of  the  Baltic  and 
in  Prussia.  But  all  these 
have  long  since  given 
way  to  half-blooded  ani- 
mals raised  all  over  the 
country  with  various 
modifications,  but  coming  chiefly  from  a  mixture 
of  pure-blooded  Oriental  and  English  horses, 
and  also  from  importations  of  cool-blooded  ani- 
mals from  Belgium  and  England.  It  may  be 
said,  in  general,  that  in  northern  Germany  we 


S.AME  House  Trotting 


104 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


mostly  find  light  horses  for  saddle  and  harness, 
and  in  the  southern  part  of  the  country  the 
heavier  draft  horses. 

Hanover  devotes  itself  especially  to  the  pro- 
duction   of    solid,    weighty    animals    of    noble 


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Buje-Whitf,  Mare  (German   Coach   Horse 
Two  years  old 

form  for  the  saddle  and  harness  ;  they  have 
great  endurance  and  a  fiery  temperament. 
From  the  days  of  George  I  of  England,  the 
first  of  the  Hanoverian  kings,  eight  of  these 
horses  have  drawn  the  royal  coach  on  all  state 
occasions,  their  last  appearance  being 
at  Queen  Victoria's  Diamond  Jubilee 
in  1897. 

Oldenburg  and  Friesland  stand 
quite  apart  from  the  rest  of  Germany 
in  their  production  of  horses.  The 
Oldenburgs  are  especially  known  as 
fine,  large,  heavy  carriage  horses ; 
the  head  is  well  formed,  the  neck 
and  shoulders  handsome,  the  withers 
high,  and  the  legs  strongly  muscled 
but  often  thick  and  coarse  about 
the  knees.  They  are  not  as  noble  in 
their  conformation  as  the  Hanove- 
rians, but  they  e.xcel  them  in  their 
docility  and   fine  action. 

In  the   Rhenish   provinces   and 
throughout  all  southern  Germany  the  heavy  cart 
or  work  horse  takes  the  first  rank.   He  is  usually 
of  Belgian  origin,  though   in  some  places  we 
find  the  heavy  English  animal. 


The  race  of  the  Pinzgau,  originally  the  wild 
horse  of  the  Noric  Alps  of  Austria,  is  still 
found  in  southern  Bavaria,  and  is  much  em- 
ployed in  Munich  to  draw  the  trucks  of  the 
breweries.  It  takes  its  name  from  the  valley 
of  Pinzgau  near  Salzburg.  This  race 
is  considered  as  descending,  without 
admixture  of  any  kind,  from  the 
ancient  wild  horse  of  the  Alps,  which, 
in  the  days  of  the  Romans,  lived  in 
a  savage  state  among  the  mountains. 
In  the  neighborhood  of  Munich  there 
is  also  a  light-weight,  primitive  horse, 
called  the  Feldmoching  (from  the 
village  of  that  name),  the  skeleton 
of  which  corresponds  precisely  to 
ihat  of  the  fossil  horses  found  in  the 
lake  of  Sternberg. 

Austria-Hungary  comes  next  after 
Germany  in  the  number  of  its  horses, 
although  it  has  no  race  types.  In 
the  German-speaking  Austrian  prov- 
inces the  animals  are  heavier  than  those  found 
among  the  peoples  of  Slavic  and  Romanic 
origin.  In  the  eastern  districts,  Galicia  and 
Transylvania,  the  influence  of  Oriental  blood 
is    plainl)'   felt.     In    these   provinces    we    find 


Light  Bav  Oldexhurg  Mare 


many  ponies,  angular  in  shape  and  thin,  but 
fiery  and  showing  ciualities  of  endurance  all 
the  more  remarkable  because  their  lives  are 
cruelly  hard.    On  the  plains  of  Hungary,  with 


THE    HORSE 


105 


their  vast  fields,  the  breeding  of  horses  is 
much  developed.  The  Oriental  type  predom- 
inates ;  hence  it  is  supposed  that  the  Hunga- 
rian horse  came  originally  from  Asia  with  his 
master,  the  Magyar.  These  ponies  are  now 
disappearing  and  giving  place  to  better  culti- 
vated breeds.  The  Jucker  horse,  which  may 
be  regarded  as  the  native  Hungarian  horse 
ennobled,  is  at  present  the  model  type.    Agile 


ninth  century  under  the  rule  of  the  Normans, 
who  established  breeding  farms  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Rouen,  Caen,  and  Bayeux. 

During  the  succeeding  centuries  these  heavy 
Norman  horses  were  crossed  with  English 
blood,  producing  one  of  the  most  remarkable 
breeds  in  France,  —  the  French  Coach,  which 
as  a  carriage  horse  enjoys  great  popularity 
both  in  France  and  in  our  own  country,  the 


PiNKG.-\i'   Horses  ((jKkm.ax  H.alf-Blood) 


and  very  enduring,  he  can  cover  extraordinary 
distances  at  great  speed.  The  Hungarians  are 
passionate  horsemen  and  lovers  of  their  steeds, 
in  which  they  are  encouraged  by  the  fine  qual- 
ities of  those  animals. 

France  still  possesses  several  types  of  primi- 
tive horses,  very  distinct  from  one  another. 
In  the  South  we  find  the  descendants  of  Ori- 
ental horses  introduced  by  the  Moors  in  the 
seventh  and  eighth  centuries,  while  in  the 
northern  departments  we  still  see  the  ancient 
hot-blooded    animals   which   flourished   in    the 


rival  of  both  German  and  English  horses  of  that 
class  He  possesses  all  the  necessary  external 
qualities,  —  height,  massiveness,  and  nobility  of 
shape.  Smaller  and  lighter  than  the  Oldenburg 
horse,  he  is  quite  as  noble,  and  he  excels  him 
in  motion  with  a  high-stepping  action  of  the 
knee.     He  is  generally  brown  in  color. 

On  the  northwest  plains  of  France  we  still 
find  an  ancient  heavy  horse,  which  we  also 
encounter  everywhere  along  the  shores  of  the 
North  Sea,  not  only  in  France  but  also  in  Bel- 
gium, Holland,  and  Denmark.    All  this  group 


io6 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Half-Blood  Huncarian  (111  KRK) 


of  cool-blooded  horses  take  the 
general  name  of  Armorican, 
from  the  peninsula  of  Armorica 
in  Brittany. 

The  French  Draft,  as  we 
k  n  o  \v  him,  b  e  1 1)  n  g  s  t  o  this 
group,  and  is  found  throughout 
the  northern  districts  of  France. 
He  has  a  broad,  coarse  head, 
a  short  and  thick  neck  with  a 
heavy  double  mane,  the  withers 
low,  the  chest  broad,  cleft,  and 
pendent,  the  legs  short  and 
strong.  He  is  usually  gray. 
The  Flemish  horses  are  the 
heaviest,  and  are  fit  to  go  at 
a  foot  pace  only.  The  Bou- 
lognese,  being  rather  lighter, 
can  go,  if  necessary,  at  a  trot. 


The  Percheron  horse,  belonging  to  the  same  group, 
takes  his  name  from  the  Perche  region  between  Nor- 
mandy and  the  river  Maine.  He  differs  little  from  the 
foregoing  breeds,  but  is  especially  suited  to  draw,  at 
a  rather  quick  pace,  moderately  heavy  loads,  such  as 
omnibuses,  street  cars,  and  farm  tools  and  implements. 
The  Percheron  is  the  most  popular  draft  horse  that  we 
have  obtained  from  across  the  sea. 

The  Breton  horse  is  another  representative  of  the 
same  group,  but  smaller  and  lighter  in  every  way  ;  in  fact, 
strictly  speaking,  he  is  a  pony  and  is  much  used  for 
breeding  on  account  of  his  vigor  and  hardiness.  The 
horses  of  Brittany  are  robust  animals,  able  to  carry  to 


Half-Blood  Huxgarian  (Jucker) 


Fke.nch  Ci)A(  h  Horse 


market  a  peasant,  his  whole  family, 
and  all  the  produce  they  have  to 
sell.  During  Napoleon's  campaign 
in  Russia  they  acquired  the  name 
of  "  P'rench  Cossacks." 

England,  the  land  where  horses 
are  bred  for  special  purposes,  has 
become  indispensable  to  the  civilized 
world  on  account  of  the  demand  for 
English  blood.  Her  breeding  of  the 
Thoroughbred  has  been  for  centuries 
the  source  to  which  the  whole  world 
(China  e.xcepted)  goes  when  a  noble 
animal  of  rapid  gait  is  wanted. 

The  Thoroughbred  in  its  present 
form  dates  from  the  second  half  of 


THE    HORSE 


107 


the  seventeenth  century.  As  early  as  the  days 
of  the  Crusades  Arabian  horses  had  been 
brought  to  England,  and  by  the  close  of  the 
Middle  Ages  much  Spanish  and  Italian 
blood  had  been  added  to  theirs ;  but  the 
history  of  pure  blood,  properly  so  called, 
does  not  begin  until  the  reign  of  Charles 
II.  Produced  by  the  crossing  of  several 
races,  the  English  Thoroughbred  has  the 
blood  of  several  original  races,  especially 
the  Oriental,  but  since  the  establishment 
of  the  genealogical  record  the  breed  has 
been  kept  pure. 

The  best  known  ancestors  of  this  breed 
are  Byerly  Turk,  Derby  Arabian,  and 
Godolphin  Arabian,  who  lived  in  the  last 
half  of  the  sex'enteenth  century  and  the 
first  half  of  the  eighteenth.  The  Thor- 
oughbred is  especially  famous  as  a  racer 
or  running  horse.  Rapid  gait  and  stay- 
ing power  are  the  chief  qualities  of  these 
animals  whose  form  and  every  action  re- 
veal a  noble  origin.  The  small,  refined 
head,  the  delicate,  long  neck,  the  keen, 
intelligent  eyes,  the  skin  and  hair  so  fine  that 
the  veins  show  through  them,  the  broad  chest, 
the  long  but  robust  back,  the  straight  croup. 


can  mold  his  action  on  the  animal  kingdom 
by  judicious  breeding,  selection,  training,  and 
watchful  care.    Throughout  Europe,  whenever 


1-Ki.NCM    1)KAIT   Horse 

the  long,  lean,  delicate  legs  with  hard  tendons 
and  solid  hoofs,  all  prove  to  what  result  man 


Fren'ch  S.AnDLE  Horse 

the  improvement  of  a  breed  of  horses  is  in  ques- 
tion, it  is  generally  a  crossing  with  pure  English 
blood  that  is  desired  ;  it  is  seldom  that  the  old 
Arabian  blood  is  sought. 

The  Yorkshire  carriage 
horses  and  the  Cleveland  Bays 
form  a  group  apart  in  England, 
where  the  former  in  times  past 
were  much  used  as  carriage 
horses.  The  Cleveland  Bay 
is  a  very  old  race,  derived, 
probably,  from  an  ancient 
mi.xture  of  the  English  horse 
with  Oriental  blood.  Animals 
of  this  race  are  well  built, 
lively,  and  vigorous,  with 
strong,  lean  legs.  They  are 
much  in  demand  for  carriage 
and  also  for  work  horses.  Of 
late,  their  good  qualities  be- 
coming more  widely  known, 
they  have  been  imported  to 
America,  where  they  receive  the  name  of 
"general  purpose  horses." 


io8 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


In  England  the  Norfolk  trotter  is  the  light- 
weight carriage  and  harness  horse  par  excel- 
lence. He  conies  from  crossing  the  original 
English  blood  with  the  Thoroughbred,  adding 
a  slight  mixture  of  Dutch  blood.  His  trot  is 
noble  and  high  stepping;  he  is  well  built, 
though   his  back  is  sometimes  a  little  hollow. 

The  Hunter  is  also  a  half-breed  ;  but  what 
the    Norfolk    horse    does   in   harness    he   does 


of  the  hunt,  and  power  f)f  endurance,  while 
their  riders  naturally  require  them  to  have  a 
pleasant,  elastic  motion. 

The  half-bred  Irish  horse  is  much  in  demand 
for  military  service.  The  Hackney,  which  has 
many  of  the  qualities  of  the  Hunter,  is  also 
used  as  a  saddle  horse,  but  on  level  roads, 
however,  because  he  is  more  fitted  for  quiet 
riding    than    for   jumping.      Consequently    the 


I'l.Ki    111   Ki  iN 


under  the  saddle,  as  his  name  implies.  Thor- 
oughbreds are  also  used  for  hunting,  but  for 
heavy-weight  riders  the  half-bred  hunter  is 
preferable.  He  is  a  descendant  of  heavy  sires 
and  light-weight  dams,  especially  Irish  mares. 
It  often  happens  that  a  mare  producing  a 
Hunter  is  partly  Thoroughbred  herself.  The 
principal  qualities  of  these  animals  are  strength 
that  enables  them  to  carry  heavy  weights  over 
obstacles,  speed  to  follow  the  pace,  oj'ten  rapid. 


chief  qualities  required  of  him  are  a  fine  gait, 
elegance  of  shape,  and  docilit)-. 

The  Cob  is  a  small  but  sturdy  horse,  em- 
ployed to  draw  light  phaetons  ;  he  is  some- 
times used  as  a  riding  horse  for  old  gentlemen, 
on  account  of  his  quiet  and  easy  gait.  He  is 
fiery,  however,  and  a  pail  of  water  is  often 
given  him,  just  before  his  master  mounts,  to 
make  him  quieter.  It  was  said  that  Sir  Robert 
Peel  lost  his  life  by  being  thrown  from  a  Cob, 


THE    HORSE 


109 


which  a  groom  had  neglected 
to  water. 

Ponies  are  found  in  great 
numbers  in  the  mountainous 
parts  of  Great  Britain.  The 
Shetland  ponies,  coming  from 
the  islands  of  that  name,  are 
the  most  characteristic  because 
they  are  the  smallest.  These 
little  animals,  sometimes  less 
than  three  feet  high,  are  much 
used  in  circuses  and  are  ridden 
by  children ;  but  their  chief 
employment  across  the  seas  is 
in  coal  mines,  where  they  draw 
the  tram  carts.  Once  taken 
down  into  a  mine  they  never 
again  see  the  light  of  day ;  some 
have  lived  fifteen  years,  stabled 
and  fed  underground. 

There  are  several  other  tribes 
of  ponies  named  for  the  local- 
ities where  they  originate,  such 
as  the  E.xmoor,  the  New  Forest, 
the  Welsh,  and  the  Scotch 
mountain  pony. 


The  English  Thouocchhrki)  Kunninc  Horse 


Breton  Pony 

Four  years  old 

The  polo  pony  is  of  another 
race  altogether.  He  is  exter-, 
nally  a  Thoroughbred  and 
descends  from  one,  but  by  birth 
he  is  a  half-breed.  His  sire  is 
usually  a  Thoroughbred  and  his 
mother  a  Welsh  or  Irish  pony. 
A  genealogical  tree  has  been 
drawn  up  for  him. 

On  the  plains  and  in  the  fer- 
tile valleys  of  England  and 
Scotland  there  are  and  have 
been  from  time  immemorial 
solid,  heavy,  cool-blooded  ani- 
mals. The  Shire  horse  is  an 
ancient,  indigenous  animal 
whose  own  cool  blood  has  been 
mixed  in  the  course  of  cen- 
turies with  Dutch  or  Flemish 
blood.  His  true  cradle  is  the 
center  of  England,  —  Notting- 
hamshire,   Leicestershire, 


I  lO 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


HuxTER  "  Tom  Brown  " 

Has  taken  many  prizes 

Photo  J.  T.  Newman.  Berkhampstead 

Derbyshire,  Staffordshire,  —  hence 
his  name.  The  race  is  distinguished 
by  its  ponderous  conformation,  its 
fine  shape,  and  especially  by  the 
thick  hair  at  the  back  of  the  leg, 
descending  in  long  locks  about  the 
fetlock.  By  his  extraordinary 
strength,  his  gigantic  height,  and 
his  excellent  qualities  as  a  draft 
animal,  the  Shire  horse  has  given 
birth  to  several  celebrated  strains 
of  brewery,  truck,  and  cart  horses 
in  England  and  America.  They  are 
usually  black,  gray,  or  bay  in  color. 

The  Suffolk  horse,  commonly 
known  as  the  Suffolk  Punch,  is 
indigenous  from  ancient  times 
in  the  county  of  that  name. 
He  is  equally  heavy  and  stout, 
and  excels  as  much  by  his  ex- 
traordinary strength  as  by  the 
docility  with  which  he  lends 
himself  to  toilsome  work,  espe- 
cially that  of  agriculture. 

The    Clydesdale   horses   are    Stallion 
cool-blooded,    and    take    their  Took 


name  from  the  valley  of  the  Clyde  in  Scotland. 
They  come  from  Scotch  mares  crossed  with 
Flemish  sires.  This  breed  produces  excellent 
work  horses,  and  is  cliaracterized,  like  the  Shire 
horse,  by  the  long,  thick  hair  on  the  leg,  which 
the  Suffolk  Pimch  has  not.  They  are  usually 
brown  or  black  in  color,  with  a  star,  blaze,  or  other 
mark  on  the  forehead,  and  they  frequently  have 
white  feet.  This  is  a  popular  breed  in  America. 
Belgium  is  the  country  of  heavy,  cool-blooded 
horses.  It  is,  above  all,  on  the  plains  of  Flanders, 
lirabant,  and  Hainaut  that  we  find  stout,  strong, 
lieavy  draft  horses.  These  horses  are  renowned  for 
developed  muscles,  fine  shape,  and  vast  strength. 
The  rump  is  generally  sloping  and  so  powerfully 
muscled  that  it  forms  a  hollow  in  the  center  of  the 
back,  but  in  spite  of  this  heavy  conformation  these 
animals  trot  with  ease.  The  breed  is  fast  find- 
ing friends  on  this  side  of  the  water,  and  many 
fine  specimens  have  been  brought  to  this  country. 


H-VCKNEVS 

The  horse  of  the  Ardennes 
is  a  lighter  animal  of  the  same 
species,  raised  on  the  moun- 
tains and  plateaus  of  the 
Ardennes.  It  is  put  to  the 
same  uses  as  the  Percheron, 
while  the  Belgian  horses  are 
employed  chiefly  in  drawing 
heavy  loads. 

The  Zealand  horse  has 
Polo  Pony  "Mootrub"  much  in  common  with  the 
first  prize  in  New  York  Belgian    horse    in    shape    and 


THE   HORSE 


III 


characteristics,    especially    in    its    heav}-    hind 
quarters. 

The  Frisian  breed,  formed)'  much  employed 
in  the  northern  parts  of  Europe,  differs  greatly 
from  the  foregoing  type.  It  is  known  for  its 
high  neck  and  shoulders,  its  sloping 
rump,  the  lofty  action  of  the  fore  legs, 
and  its  ability  to  gallop  or  trot  rapidl\-. 
It  was  chiefly  for  this  latter  quality 
that  foreigners  formerly  esteemed  the 
Frisian  horse,  which  is  now  entirely  set 
aside.    The  color  is  uniformly  black. 

Denmark, especially  in  Jutland,  may 
be  regarded  as  the  most  northern  coun- 
try which  has  produced  heavy  cool- 
blooded  horses.  The  Jutland  horses 
have  long  been  known  to  foreigners 
as  the  Danish  horses  ;  in  the  days  of 
chivalry  they  were  much  sought  for 
their  great  strength.  Denmark  is  so 
productive  of  horses  that  philologists 
assert  that  its  name  is  derived  from 
that  animal,  Denmark  signifying  the  "  land  of 
horsemen."  The  Jutland  horse  is  of  medium 
height  and  weight,  and  is  now  used  chiefly  for 
agriculture  and  for  omnibuses  and  tramways. 
It  is  robust,  calm  in  temperament,  easy  to  feed, 
with  a  steady  gait  and  great  endurance.  It  is 
usually  brown  or  chestnut,  seldom  black  or  gray. 


which  afford  prizes  for  well-bred  horses  sent 
to  exhibitions,  and  since  1887  assistance  is 
given  to  societies  for  the  purchase  of  stallions. 
The  number  of  Danish  or  Jutland  horses  is 
reckoned  at  three  hundred  thousand,  of  which 


Welsh  Pony  with  Fo..\l 
Photo  J.  T.  Newman,  Berkhampstead 

three  fourths  are  found  in  Jutland  and  one  fourth 
in  the  Danish  islands.  The  annual  exportation  is 
about  fifteen  thousand,  chiefly  geldings  ;  in  Ger- 
many these  animals  are  sold  at  prices  varying 
from  600  to  1200  francs,  —  from  $125  to  $250. 
The  ancient  breed  of  Nordland  horses,  so 
called,  is  still  met  with  in  Norway  ;   they  are 


Shetl.^nd  Ponies 


The  Danish  horses  have  rather  long  backs, 
light  withers,  the  head  short  and  broad,  the 
neck  thick,  the  rump  sloping,  but  the  legs 
strong.    Since  1872  the  state  grants  subsidies 


of  medium  height,  yellow  or  brownish  yellow 
in  color,  with  the  mane,  tail,  and  lower  part 
of  the  leg  jet  black.  They  have  also  a  black 
stripe  running  the  whole  length  of  the  back. 


I  12 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Shire  Huksl 
Photo  J.  T.  Newman,  Berkhanipstead 

The  Norker  horse  is  a  small  pony,  to  be 
found  along  the  fiords  and  coasts  of  Norway. 
It  is  gray  or  brownish  gray  in  color,  strong,  with 
great  endurance  and  solid  hoofs,  and  is  famous 
for  its  ability  to  climb  mountains  and  to  swim. 

Iceland  ponies  ha\'e  much  in  common  with 
the  Norker  horse.  They  have  thick  coats, 
enabling  them  to  bear  their  cold  climate,  and 
they   get    their   food    by   scratching   away   the 


snow  with  their  hoofs  and  feed- 
ing on  the  scanty  grass  and 
mosses  which  grow  on  that 
rocky  soil.  Norway  possesses 
another  breed  of  these  little 
liord  ponies,  called  the  West- 
land  ;  they  are  vigorous  and 
hardy,  with  tufted  manes  and 
tails. 

The  Norwegian  trotting 
horse   is  chiefly   found    in   the 
southeastern    portion   of   the 
country,  where   races    are   in 
great  favor.    This  horse  resem- 
bles the  Frisian  trotter,  but  is 
smaller.     He  is  famous  for  the 
extreme   solidity   of    his   hoofs 
and  his  strong,  sinewy  legs  ;  he 
is  courageous,  quiet,  and  good- 
tempered.     To    improve    the 
type,  which  is  rather  wanting 
in   dignity,    breeders    are   now- 
importing  stallions  from    Eng- 
land.    Except    for    racing,   the 
love  of  horses  is  not  much  developed  in  Nor- 
way, because  the  soil  and  climate  do  not  lend 
themselves  to  breeding,  and,  besides,  the  farms 
are  small,  so  that  breeders  seldom  have  more 
than  three  or  four  mares  for  the  purpose. 

Sweden  also  produces  none  but  small  horses 
and  ponies.  It  is  only  by  the  establishment  of 
stud  farms  and  the  importation  of  foreign  stal- 
lions that  she  has  succeeded  in  raisins'  carriage 


Clydesdales 

Photo  J.  T.  Newman,  Berkhanipstead 


< 


w 


114 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


and  saddle  horses.  The  Swedish  army  horses 
are  loaned  during  a  great  part  of  the  time  to 
the  peasants,  who  may  use  them  for  saddle  and 
harness,  but  not  for  heavy  work.    The  Swedish 


Suffolk-Punch  M.irf.  "Queen  of  Dla.moxds" 

Photo  J.  T.  Newman,  Berkhampstead 

ponies  bear  a  general  resemblance  to  those  of 
Norway,  Iceland,  and  the  Shetland  and  Orkney 
islands.  They  are  mostly  gray  or  mouse  col- 
ored, with  black  points.  The  smallest  are  found 
on  the  island  of  Oland,  and  are  called  Glanders. 
Large  heads  with  heavy  jaws, 
thick,  harsh  coats,  and  tufted 
manes  and  tails  characterize 
nearly  all  these  northern  ponies. 

In  the  southern  countries  of 
Europe  we  find  little  animals 
that  correspond  to  the  ponies 
of  the  north.  In  Greece  ponies 
share  the  kingdom  with  don- 
keys and  mules  ;  a  particularly 
small  breed,  smaller  than  that  of 
the  Shetland  Isles,  is  found  in 
the  Cyclades.  No  sign  remains 
of  the  equine  glory  of  ancient 
Greece  and  of  her  famous  breed 
of  Thessalian  horses. 

The  same  may  be  said  ol 
Italy,  which  is  now  under  tli< 
necessity  of  annually  importing 
more  than  thirty  thousan 
horses.  The  Sardinian  ponic- 
are  strong,  handsome  animals  ; 
they  are  generally  brown.  The 
smallest  are  called  "  achetta," 


and  their  sure,  firm  step  on  the  mountains  is 
much  praised.  Ponies  are  also  bred  in  Sicily. 
Formerly  Italy  was  celebrated  for  her  horses. 
The  Neapolitans,  especially,  enjoyed  a  world- 
wide fame  at  a  period  when  breeding  and 
ecjuitation  were  at  their  zenith  in  that  coun- 
try. Pasquala  Caracciolo,  a  professor  in  the 
Italian  school  for  these  arts,  now  abandoned, 
asserts  that  for  traveling,  trotting,  galloping, 
and  war,  and  also  for  leaping  and  hunting, 
the  Italian  horses  were  preferable  to  all  others 
in  the  world.  They  were  very  handsome, 
robust,  enduring,  agile,  courageous,  and  in- 
telligent, with  finely  shaped  head  and  shoul- 
ders ;  they  were  agreeable  under  the  hand, 
and  if  ridden  by  a  good  horseman,  they  took 
a  gait  that  was  elegant  and  elastic,  and  very 
pleasant  to  the  rider. 

Spain  also  was  famous  for  her  horses,  espe- 
cially the  celebrated  Andalusians,  which  had 
much  in  common  with  the  Neapolitan  horses. 
The  Moors  imported  Arabian  blood  into  Spain, 
from  which  resulted  horses  of  lighter  weight 
and  purer  Eastern  race.    The  Jouicts,  so  called. 


Reve  d'Or,"  Stallion  of  Heavy  Belgian  Draft  Breed 
His  mimerous  medals  are  round  his  neck 


THE   HORSE 


115 


small  horses  indigenous  in  Spain,  must  be  ranked 
among  saddle  horses.  They  were  celebrated  for 
their  elegance,  their  proud  bearing,  their  high 
crests,  their  long  manes,  the  fine  action  of  their 
fore  legs,  and  the  elasticity  of  their  hind  ones, 
which  gave  to  their  movements  a  suppleness 
that  all  the  world  admired.  From  the  fifteenth 
to  the  eighteenth  centuries  these  horses  were 
held  in  high  esteem  among  princes  and  nobles, 
and  even  in  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth 


Roumania  and  the  other  Balkan  States  are 
alike  in  possessing  a  breed  of  mountain  ponies 
which  have  many  of  the  characteristics  of  Ori- 
ental horses,  to  which,  apparently,  they  are 
related.  Turkey  has  likewise  outlived  her  fame 
in  the  domain  of  horse  raising,  her  horses  of 
Eastern  origin  being  highly  valued  in  times 
past.  The  Sultan's  stables  cover  a  vast  tract  of 
ground  and  contain  about  two  thousand  horses 
of  various  origin,  —  Tartar,  Arabian,  Danish, 


AVIS 


Type  of  a  T\vo-Ye..\r-Oi.u  Ardennes  St.ali.ion 


century  they  were  much  in  demand  as  circus 
or  riding-school  horses.  One  or  more  were 
considered  a  princely  gift.  To-day  they  are 
never  seen,  but  traces  of  them  are  still  visible 
in  Austria,  Italy,  Spain,  and  in  some  of  the 
northern  countries,  such  as  F"riesland  and 
Denmark.  Spain  formerly  produced  a  heavier 
horse,  which  was  preferred  to  the  foregoing  for 
war  and  tillage.    They  were  called  villanos. 

In  our  day  the  breeding  of  horses  in  Spain 
is  insignificant  and  very  inferior  to  that  of 
asses  and  mules.  The  few  horses  that  remain 
are  mostly  sacrificed  in  bullfights. 


English,  French,  Russian,  and  German.  A 
few  zebras  and  splendid  African  quaggas  are 
also  kept  in  the  stables  of  the  Sublime  Porte. 

The  United  States  has  long  been  a  prominent 
horse-producing  nation,  although  her  horses 
are  developed  entirely  from  the  horse  stock 
of  other  countries.  The  prominent  breeds  are 
Percheron,  French  Draft,  English  Shire,  Suf- 
folk Punch,  Clydesdale,  and  Belgium  Draft  for 
farm  purposes  and  for  work  requiring  strong, 
heavy  animals  ;  and  the  French,  German,  Old- 
enburg, Hackney,  and  the  Cleveland  Bay  for 
carriage  purposes.    These  breeds,  even  when 


ii6 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


bred  in  a  land  new  to  them,  cling  with  wonderful 
tenacity  to  original  forms  and  characteristics. 
These  imported  horses  are  easily  adaptable  to 
our  soil  and  climate,  and  to-day  one  can  scarcely 


Frisian  Stallion 

Four  years  old 

find  a  county  in  any  state  that  does  not  pos- 
sess pure-blooded  animals  representing  some 
of  these  breeds. 

The  American  trotter,  the  most  remarkable 
of  all  horses,  is  a  descendant  of  the  English 
Thoroughbred,  and  has  been  improved  and 
developed  for  a  special  purpose  — 
speed.  One  hundred  years  ago  there 
was  no  authenticated  record  of  any 
horses  going  faster  than  a  mile  in 
less  time  than  two  and  three-quarters 
minutes  ;  to-day  we  have  records  for 
one  mile  in  two  minutes,  or  even 
better,  for  Dan  Patch,  the  pacing 
wonder,  during  the  past  summer 
covered   the   mile  in  1.55-^. 

III.  Breeding  of  Horses 
The  breeding  of  horses  has  gone 
through  many  modifications  in  the 
course  of  time,  dating  back  to  long- 
past  ages.  We  still  find  traces  of 
half-savage  forms  in  the  east  of  Russia  and 
its  adjoining  regions. 

According  to  the  direction  given  to  breeding, 
some  races  have  been  condemned  to  disappear 
and  give  place  to  others  that  answered  better 


to  the  requirements  of  owners.  Thanks  to 
repeated  crossings  in  a  certain  direction,  old 
characteristic  qualities  disappear  and  are  re- 
placed by  other  forms  and  qualities. 

By  continually  selecting  the 
heaviest  animals  of  a  heavy  race, 
and  giving  them  such  food  as  their 
needs  require,  our  heavy  breeds  of 
draft  horses  have  been  obtained, — 
horses  that  rear  themselves  like 
giants  of  fairy  tales  to  the  eyes  of 
those  who  see  them  for  the  first  time. 
In  using  for  propagation  the  fleet- 
est animal  of  a  fleet  and  noble  race, 
and  giving  to  their  product  an  edu- 
ration  that  develops  the  muscles  and 
lendons,  and  by  carefully  repressing 
all  obesity,  breeders  are  obtaining 
more  and  more  animals  of  incredible 
speed,  which,  especially  on  the 
American  race  track,  are  taking  less 
and  less  time  to  cover  a  certain  distance. 

By  always  using  the  smallest  specimens  of  a 
race  of  small  ponies  breeders  have  succeeded 
in  producing  horses  no  larger  than  mastiffs. 
A  dwarf  horse,  two  years  old,  exhibited  in 
New    York    in    1901,    was    onl\'    twenty-three 


Frisian  Stallion,  Jet  Black 

inches  in  height.  Breeders  also  seize  and  repro- 
duce the  freaks  of  nature,  such  as  the  albino 
horses  (born  white)  of  Denmark  and  Hanover. 
Among  the  most  ancient  stud  farms  we  must 
rank  those  established  by  the  Norman  kings  in 


THE   HORSE 


117 


Normandy.  They  raised  war  horses, 
ponderous  but  rapid,  and  they  even 
estabHshed  races  and  formed  race 
courses,  an  example  followed  later 
by  monasteries  and  abbeys.  The 
stud  farm  of  the  Abbey  of  Mont 
Saint  Michel  was  long  celebrated. 
Private  studs  were  also  set  up  by 
knights  in  the  Middle  Ages  to  sup- 
ply their  own  needs.  These  were 
established  all  along  the  shores  of 
the  North  Sea  and  the  Baltic,  and 
are  the  places  whence  the  cool- 
blooded  horses  of  the  present  day 
originally  came. 

In  1843  stud  farms  were  made 
a  part  of  the  government  administra- 
tion of  Russia,  and  twenty-six  such  farms  were 
established,  with  sixty  stallions  in  each,  which 
were  placed  gratuitously  at  the  service  of  breed- 
ers. A  very  celebrated  stud  farm  was  estab- 
lished in  1732  in  eastern  Russia.  At  first  only 
the  Teutonic  breeds  were  raised,  but  an  im- 
portation of  Neapolitan,  Turkish,  and  English 
blood  produced  fine  carriage  horses,  which 
further  importations  only  bettered.  During 
the  Napoleonic  wars  this  establishment  suffered 
severely  and  came  near  to  being  broken  up,  but 
in  18 14  a  fresh  importation  of  English  and 
Oriental  blood  revived  it.   Russia  now  possesses 


6i..^NnF.R  Ponies,  Sweden 


Jutland  Horse 

a  vast  number  of  such  establishments  where 
pure-blooded,  half-blooded,  and  sometimes  cool- 
blooded  animals  are  raised.  In  the  province  of 
Rosen  there  has  long  been  a  small  stud  farm 
of  Percherons.  Such  farms  belong  partly  to  the 
state  and  partly  to  private  owners. 

Breeding  establishments  in  the  United  States 
ha\'e  been  owned  and  managed  by  private 
parties  entirel)',  the  government  never  having 
assisted  in  the  work.  Importing  companies 
and  private  individuals  have  imported  for  the 
past  century  many  animals  of  various  breeds 
for  breeding  purposes,  these  animals  being 
sold  to  farmers  direct  or  kept  for 
use  by  those  importing  them.  There 
is  scarcely  an  important  European 
breed  that  is  not  represented  by  many 
superior  individuals  in  our  country, 
either  by  direct  importation  or  by 
the  descendants  of  many  individuals 

f_i^  brought  here,  the  French  Draft, 
Percheron,  and  Clydesdale  being 
very  numerous  and  scattered  over 
farms  throughout  the  country.  The 
Belgian,  English  Shire,  and  Suffolk 
Punch  have  also  gained  in  friends 
and  numbers  during  recent  years. 

Of  the  carriage  breeds,  the  French 
Coach,  German  Coach,  Hackney,  and 
Cleveland  Bays  are  the  most  popular 
and  are  gaining  in  numbers  and  fa\or. 


ii8 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


IV.  The  Art  of  Equitation 
The  custom  of  riding  on  horseback  is  \'ery 
ancient,  but  in  the  clays  of  the  Greek  and 
Roman  civilizations  it  became  an  art  in  which 
both  man  and  horse  were  specially  trained  by 
the  Olympic  games.  A  magnificent  circus  was 
established  in  Constantinople,  where  horses 
paraded  and  passaded  in  cadence,  and  even 
danced,  and  where  the  art  of  equitation  as  a 


Henry  VII,  king  of  England,  sent  to  Italy 
for  instructors ;  and  the  Italian  method  was 
also  taught  in  Germany  by  Engelhardt  in  1588. 
The  doctrine  of  the  Italian  school  was,  gen- 
erally speaking,  as  follows.  The  body  of  the 
rider  has  two  movable  parts,  —  the  upper  part 
of  the  body  and  the  lower  part  of  the  legs. 
The  part  between  the  waist  and  the  knees 
should    be    motionless.     The    seat    should    be 


Norwegian  Pasture  for  Horses 


spectacle  attained  a  high  degree  of  de\'elop- 
ment.  The  animals  employed  were  the  ances- 
tors of  the  Neapolitan  and  Andalusian  horses 
afterwards  so  renowned,  and  the  performances 
foreshadowed  the  Spanish  and  Italian  schools 
that  came  later. 

In  the  sixteenth  century  Pignatelli,  an 
Italian  nobleman,  established  the  first  riding 
schools  in  Naples  and  Pisa,  although  at  the 
close  of  the  fifteenth  century  equitation  already 
followed  certain  fixed  rules  laid  down  by  the 
court  of  France. 


straight,  but  inclining  backward  rather  than 
forward,  and  the  thighs  must  be  firm  against 
the  saddle  ;  this  position  should  be  maintained 
even  at  full  gallop.  The  rider  should  have 
recourse  to  none  but  the  gentlest  measures  ; 
he  should  ne\'er  use  the  spurs  unless  the  horse 
refuses  absolutely  to  obey  the  pressure  of 
the  knees,  neither  should  he  use  the  whip  or 
the  voice.  But  besides  these  general  rules  the 
Italian  school  had  manv  little  fanciful  tricks  that 
were  difficult  both  for  horse  and  rider,  among 
them  a  passading  step  called  the  "  Neapolitan." 


THE    HORSE 


119 


The    Spanish    school    represented    in   many  principles  of  his  predecessor,  although  still  rec- 

ways   the   Moors  and   the  traditions  they  left  ommended,  were  combined  with  those  of  the 

behind  them  ;   the  simple  Arabian  bit  and  stir-  Duke  of  Newcastle.    At  the  end  of  the  seven- 

rups  retained  their  Moorish  form.    But  after  a  teenth    century   we    find    the    king's   equerry, 


PRUSSI.AN    ^  1   \I   1  11  INS 


while  ultra-refinement  and  artificiality  carried  Gaspard  Saunier,  exercising  the  veterinary  art 

the  day,  and    energy,  agility,  and   suppleness  at  Versailles,  and  combining  it  with  the  other 

were  less  valued  than  stateliness  and   show.  arts  of  riding  and  horseshoeing.     He  also  put 

The  French  school  attached  itself  especially  his  knowledge  to  use,  with  more  or  less  success, 

to    show.      Pluvinel,    the     first    to    write    on  in  the  establishment  of  stud  farms  for  the  king 


Pcre-Blckidei)  Arabi.xn  Stallions 


equitation,  dedicated  his  book  to  Louis  XIII, 
who  was  famous  for  his  admirable  seat  on  horse- 
back. To  Pluvinel  succeeded  Beaurepaire, 
who  published,  in  1665,  a  book  in  which   the 


and  for  private  individuals.  In  his  works  on 
equitation  and  other  branches  he  makes  men- 
tion of  the  royal  hunts  in  the  forest  of  Fontaine- 
bleau,  at  which    the  e.xiled   King   James  I  of 


I20 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


England  and  his  suite  had  difficulty  in  following 
his  majesty  Louis  XIV.  He  ranked  the  Arabian 
and  Barbary  stallions  above  the  Spanish  for 
breeding  purposes,  and  he  aided  in  abolishing 
certain  absurdities  of  the   Italian  school. 


Kr.xTitKV  HoRsi'; 

The  above  schools  (the  Latin  schools)  de- 
manded ch-gaiiCL'  in  the  horse,  —  the  pointed 
head,  the  long  mane,  the  fine  swan's  neck 
gracefully  curved,  the  long  and  supple  back, 
the  slender  but  sinewy  fore  legs  flung  high  and 
majestically  (as  in  the  "Spanish  step"  )  with 
an  elastic,  dancing  motion.  The  Andalusian 
and  Neapolitan  horses  fulfilled  these  require- 
ments better  than  all  others. 


The  German  school,  which  followed  the 
Latin  school  only  to  a  certain  point,  held  a 
medium  place  between  that  school  and  those 
of  the  Slav  races,  —  Russian,  Hungarian,  and 
Polish.  The  latter  governed  their  restive 
horses  by  vitilent  means,  and  could  never 
bring  themselves  to  use  the  gentler  methods 
of  the  Latin  nations. 

Americans  and  their  English  cousins  have 
always  preferred  the  enjoyment  of  trotting 
and  galloping  across  country  to  making  any 
fine  display  in  the  riding  schools. 

The  rough,  harsh  way  in  which  the  Slavs 
ride  is  partly  caused,  no  doubt,  by  their  saddles, 
which  project  so  far  from  the  body  of  the  horse 
that  the  rider  cannot  direct  the  animal  by  knee 
or  thigh.  His  heels  are  usuall)-  under  the  chest 
of  the  horse,  and  he  controls  him  entirely  by 
bit  and  spur.  He  will  often,  in  the  middle  of 
a  gallop,  fling  the  horse  backward  or  to  one 
side  b)-  pulling  violently  on  the  bit,  using  both 
whip  and  voice  at  the  same  time.  The  saddle 
is  high  in  front  and  back,  and  the  stirrups  very 
short  ;  consequently  it  is  almost  impossible  for 
a  restive  horse  to  throw  his  rider.  The  Slavs 
never  ride  at  a  trot,  but  always  at  a  walk  or 
gallop.  The  rider  often  forces  the  animal  to  sit 
down  on  his  haunches,  and   then  he  compels 


Horses  in  Corral,  Wyoming 


THE    HORSE 


121 


him  with  whip  and  spur  to  advance  in  that 
half-sitting  posture.  This  violent  treat- 
ment renders  a  horse  obedient  in  a  few 
days,  and  if  he  breaks  a  leg  or  strains 
a  muscle  in  the  process,  what  matter  ? 
The  steppes  of  the  Ukraine,  or  eastern 
Russia,  will  furnish  plenty  more. 

Besides  the  systems  of  equitation  prac- 
ticed in  circuses  and  riding  schools,  there 
are  rules  for  open-air  exercises  in  which, 
added  to  equitation  properly  so  called, 
there  are  obstacles  to  overcome,  barriers 
to  leap,  and  equestrian  games  to  play,  in 
which    the    rider  can    exhibit   his   power 


.Si. WISH  Step 

over  his  steed,  together  with  his  method 
and  agility. 

Women  rode  on  horseback  in  very  ancient 
times,  as  we  see  by  the  sculptures  of 
ancient  Greece.  One  by  Phidias,  preservetl 
in  the  British  Museum  in  London,  shows 
us  a  Thessalian  woman  sitting,  man  fashion, 
astride  a  horse  of  Thessaly,  which  breed 
was  then  held  to  be  the  finest  of  Grecian 
horses.  This  fashion  of  women  riding 
astride  continued  in  Europe  until  the 
twelfth  century,  when  ladies'  saddles  were 
introduced,  enabling  them  to  sit  sideways. 
Sometimes  a  woman  rode  en  croupe,  that 
is,  behind  her  husband  or  another  man. 
It  is  said  that  Queen  Elizabeth  of  England 


"  Interest" 

rode   thus   behind   her  grand  equerry,  the 
Earl  of  Leicester. 

The  horse  is  easily  trained  to  assist  his 
rider  in  the  execution  of  certain  tricks  of 
grace  and  skill.  A  tale  is  told  of  a  Gascon 
horseman  who  rode  a  spirited  horse  hold- 
ing a  piaster  under  each  thigh,  between 
each  knee  and  the  horse,  and  on  each 
spur,  without  dropping  a  single  one  of 
them.  I  have  myself  seen  an  American 
cowboy  cross  at  full  gallop  a  field  where 
a  piece  of  money  had  been  thrown  upon 
the  grass.  Without  slackening  speed  he 
leaned  over  and  along  the  flank  and  belly 
of  his  horse,  clinging  to  the  animal  with 
his  legs,  his  head  hanging  low,  but  every 


Makinc;  hi.m  Kneel 


122 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


time  he  succeeded  in  picking  up  the  coin  as 
he  flashed  past. 

Aeronauts  have  been  known  to  ascend  the 
skies  mounted  on  a  Pegasus,  which  stood  on  a 
plank  suspended  by  ropes  from  a  balloon  ;  and 
riders  have  succeeded  in  training  horses  to 
gallop  not  forward  but  backward.  The  horse 
rises  by  jumps,  and  the  moment  the  fore  legs 


in  eleven  hours,  without  stopping  for  food 
or  drink.  As  she  entered  the  city  the  brave 
beast  fell  dead,  —  less  fortunate  than  the  more 
justly  famous  Roland,  who  brought  the  good 
news  from  Ghent  to  Aix. 

The  use  of  horses  in  harness  was  far  from 
being  as  general  in  former  times  as  it  is 
now ;   in   fact,   it   was   much   despised    in    the 


The  Celebrated  Tr.ainer  M.  Oscar  Carre 


touch  the  ground  he  lifts  the  hind  legs  and  flings 
them  backward  to  the  ground  behind  him. 

A  very  famous  English  horse.  Black  Bess,  a 
Thoroughbred  mare  with  much  Arabian  blood 
in  her  veins,  saved  her  no  less  famous,  or  rather 
infamous,  master,  Dick  Turpin,  the  highway- 
man. When  pursued  by  relays  of  archers, 
determined  to  capture  at  last  so  elusive  a 
criminal,  the  mare  carried  him  over  rough 
roads  and  turnpike  gates  from  London  to 
York,  a  distance  of  one  hundred  and  five  miles, 


brilliant  days  of  equestrian  chivalry.  When 
the  upper  classes  began  to  use  carriages  and 
their  passion  for  equitation  lessened,  the  French 
and  German  kings  and  princes  endeavored  to 
check  the  innovation.  Up  to  that  time  the  use 
of  a  carriage  had  always  been  regarded  as  an 
effeminacy  unworthy  of  a  cavalier ;  but  now, 
by  degrees,  people  began  to  find  the  new  mode 
of  locomotion  more  comfortable,  and  the  cava- 
liers themselves  began  to  take  their  ease  in 
vehicles.    In  consequence  of  this,  Duke  Julius 


THE   HORSE 


12- 


of  Brunswick  felt  compelled  to  issue  an  edict  In   England  carriages  came  into  use  in  the 

declaring  that  "  the  use  of  carriages  was  prej-  second   half   of   the   sixteenth  century,  during 

udicial  to  the  virile  virtue,  the  good  sense,  the  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth.    The  first  coach 

bravery,  propriety,  and  firmness  of  the  German  was  imported  by  the  Earl  of  Arundel,  to  take 

nation,  and  was  suitable  only  for  lazy  the  place  of  the  queen's  sedan  chair. 


persons."     It  was,  in  fact,  injuri 
ous  to  the  interests  of  kings 
and   princes,  because   in 
times  of  war   (and  those 
were  incessant)  vassals 
were  compelled    to 
assist  their  sovereigns 
with  their  persons, 
their  swords,  thei  r 
horses,  and  their  re- 
tainers ;  but  now  (as 
the  duke's  edict  goes  on 
to  say),   "  instead    o 
themselves  mounting  th 
horses,  the  knights  stayi 
home   and    sent    their   grooms 
stewards,    and    other    inexperienced 
rabble,  not  on  vigorous  stallions  but 
on  weak  and  puny   beasts."     Finally 
matters  came  to  such  a  pass  that  the  warrior 


OllSTACLES  TO  Le.AP 


and  to  spare  her  the  annoyance 
■:;,    of  riding  pillion  behind  her 
rand  equerry.    In  France 
we   find   mention  of  the 
first  coaches  for  hire  in 
1550.      Thus    it   ap- 
pears  that  vehicles 
began    to    take  the 
ilace    of    equestrian- 
ism in  all  countries  at 
about  the  same  period, 
—  a  period  correspond- 
ig  to  that  of  a  reform 
the  intellectual  world. 
Chariots  of  war  were  known 
lo  antiquity.    When  Julius 
Caesar  conquered  Britain  in  55  B.C., 
he   encountered    Briton   warriors 
seated  in  formidable  chariots  armed 
with  scythes  fixed  to  the  wheels.   Even  in  Rome 


princes  found  themselves  forced  to  employ  the  use  of  vehicles  was  early  known,  but  none 
contractors  who,  for  stipulated  sums  of  money,  but  victors,  vestal  virgins,  and  certain  author- 
undertook    to  procure   both  men   and   horses,      ities  were  allowed  to  use  them,  and  they  could 

The  same  condition  of  affairs 
existed  in  Spain  at  nearly  the  same 
epoch.  The  grandees,  who  formerly 
mounted  their  horses  to  display  their 
prowess  with  the  lance  as  they  had 
seen  it  practiced  by  the  Moors,  or  to 
fight  wild  bulls  in  the  arena,  now 
began  to  imitate  the  prelates,  who 
were  dragged  about  comfortably  in 
coaches  drawn  by  mules.  A  Spanish 
grandee  complained  of  it  thus: 
"  Formerly  there  were  brigands  who 
comported  themselves  like  knights 
and  great  matadores  ;  the  brigands 
of  the  present  day  are  beggars  and 
the  matadores  bunglers." 

Philip  II,  king  of  Spain,  took  this 
matter  to  heart  in  1562.  He  issued 
decrees  against  the  breeding  of  mules 
and  tried  to  encourage  that  of  horses.  Interior  of  a  Ridixc;  School 


124 


OUR  DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


Ready  to  Start 

move  only  by  daylight.  These  chariots  had  t\v 
wheels  ;  the  carpcntnin  had  a  hood,  and  the 
pilentiun  was  uncovered,  or,  at  most,  had 
a  canopy.  The  triumphal  car  of  victors 
and  the  racing  chariots,  harnessed  often 
with  three  horses,  also  had  two  wheels. 
The  carnica,  an  elegant  carriage  for  luxury, 
adorned  with  gold,  silver,  and  ivory,  had 
four  wheels.  Its  name  has  come  down  to 
the  present  day  in  many  languages:  car- 
riiccio,  Italian  ;  kaivs,  kar,  karrikel,  north 
of  Europe ;  carrossc,  carrousel,  French  ; 
carriage,  English. 

In  consequence  of  the  bumps  experi- 
enced on  rough  and  stony  roads  it  was 
thought  advisable,  after  a  time,  to  suspend 
the  seat  between  four  wheels  by  leather 
straps.  In  the  sumptuous  seventeenth 
century    they    used  a  sort   of    artistically 


decorated  swing,  slowly  drawn 
by  proud  and  splendid  Anda- 
lusian  horses,  flanked  on  each 
side  by   two   servants,  whose 
business  it  was  to  hold  up  the 
machine   when    it    threatened 
to  fall,  or  to  right  it  if  it  fell. 
The  use  of   leather  straps 
for  the  purpose  of  lessening 
rough  shocks  is  still  continued 
in   Holland,   though   steel 
springs  have  long  since  taken 
their  place  elsewhere.    There- 
fore the  few  Dutch  carriages 
of   this   kind    that    still   exist 
may  be  regarded  as  curiosities. 
In  our  day  it  has  become 
an  art,  and  even  a  science,  to 
drive  a  coach  or  carriage.  The 
art  consists  in  going  whereso- 
ever we  desire,  in  guiding  the 
horses  by   reins,   whip,  and 
voice  in  a  way  to  make  a  good 
appearance,  and  in  so  manag- 
ing that  the  horses  suffer  as 
little   as   possible   from   their 
work,  and  that   the  equipage 
goes  forward  so  regularly  and 
tranquilly  that  the  people 
.■ithin  it  do  not  perceive  the  pace  at  which  it 


A  Noble  Breed 


126 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


goes  nor  the  obstacles  on  the  road  which  It  over-     from   his   hand   to   the   exterior   side   of   each 

comes  or  avoids.     The  Hungarians  are  known      horse's  bit,  and  united  by  a  transversal  strap 

for  their  skillfulness  in  this  art,  and  the  Eng-     between  the  animals. 

lish  and  Americans  have  also  earned  it  far.  The  qualities  required  m  a  good  driver  are 

a  gentle  hand,  skill,  presence 
of  mind,  love  for  his  horses 
(whom  he  ought  to  know  thor- 
oughly), good  sense,  patience, 
courage,  strength,  and  a  cer- 
tain elegance  ;  he  should  be 
absolutely  without  roughness 
of  any  kind.  Besides  all  this  he 
should  be  sufficiently  trained 
tn  his  business,  for  no  one  is 
born  a  driver. 

It  is  a  bad  driver,  or  rather 
not  a  driver  at  all,  who  does 
not  know  his  hfirses  through 
and  through,  —  their  charac- 
ter, humor,  and  temperament 
as   well   as    their   faults.     He 
needs    patience     to    conquer 
quietly  the  capricious  humor  or  resistance  of 
his  animals  without  himself  being  excited  by 
their  fits  of  temper.    Courage  and  strength  will 
surely  enable  him  to  master  their  obstinacy, 


changed 


Inspection  of  a  RiniNCi-ScHooi-  House 

The  method  of  driving  horses  has  often  been 
At  one  time  each  horse  of  a  pair  had 
a  bridle  and  rein  to  himself,  so  that  one  horse 
could  be  stopped  without  pulling  on  the  other. 
To  make  them  turn  to  the  right 
a   strap   was    fastened    to   the 
right  of   the  jaw  of  the  near 
horse,  which    crossed    to    the 
left  shoulder  of  the  off  horse. 
They  were  turned  to  the  left 
in  the  same  way.    To-day  we 
use  cross  reins,  that  is  to  say, 
the  two  reins  in  the  hands  of 
the  driver  each  divide  into  two 
at  the  shoulder,  the  correspond- 
ing end  of  each  going  to  the 
left  side  of  each  horse's  bit, 
while  the  same  is  done  for  the 
right  side.    This  arrangement, 
far  more  convenient  in  the  mat- 
ter of  turning,  presents  certain 
inconveniences  when  driving 
two   horses    of    different   tem- 
peraments. 

In  agricultural  work  done  with  quiet  horses 
the  driver  often  has  but  the  two  reins  going 


which,  of  course,  it  is  absolutely  essential  that 
he  should  do. 


THE   HORSE 


127 


skill  and  courage  which  are  nothing  extraordi- 
nary, though  always  dangerous.  To  skirt  at  full 
gallop  deep  gullies  and  ravines  and  the  rocky 
slopes  of  mountains  needs  a  courage  and  cool- 
ness which  are  not  given  to  every  one. 

It  is  a  great  test  of  strength  and  skill  to  drive 
a    four-in-hand,    sometimes    a    si.\ -in-hand,    and 


In  Austria  and  in  our  western  mountain- 
ous section  are  the  most  remarkable  exam- 
ples of  intrepidity  and  skill  in  the  art  of 
driving  horses.  To  mount  and  descend 
flights  of  steps,  to  approach  a  precipice  with 
four  horses  at  full  speed  and  be  able  to  stop  occasif)nallv  eight  or  nine.  The  more  horses,  the 
them  short  at  the  crucial  moment,  are  acts  of      more  reins  for  the  driver  to  hold,  and  if  he  is 


Rkk.\k  of  a  Horse  Dealer 


,■■--« 

'  c 

s. 

/ 

I-,- 

< 

.1a.  :■,-../»■■• 

'M.  ,->      ■■■■  -'xriv'-^v 

*?>-. 

■  """^ 

m 

WmmBKk 

♦  f 

.vv--^lH 

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^B^^^^^^^^^^^Ki!^i  t*i  ^ 

1 

-  Mr  \' iT^T^^^^^^^^ 

1  r  ^ 

i^gui^,;..::""'.,'^-^' 

V^^^b^uIbS^Iv^^ 

|nmAl 

HARXES.S  Horse  horn  White  (.\i-i;ix(i) 


I2S 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


English  Hansum  Cab 


not  very  experienced  he  is  liable  to 
mistake  the  pairs  and  thus  cause 
accidents.  It  is  related  that  an  Eng- 
lish breeder,  Mr.  Emody,  was  drivini; 
along  the  road  from  Westminster 
to  Greenwich  with  a  carriage  full  of 
musicians,  drawn  by  twelve  pairs  ot 
horses,  which  he  drove  himself  from 
the  box.  Two  outriders  preceded 
him  as  heralds,  and  two  others 
escorted  the  vehicle,  to  be  ready  in 
case  of  accident.  Emody  seemed  to 
have  little  trouble  in  driving  his 
twenty-four  steeds,  holding  the  mass 
of  reins  in  one  hand  as  easily  as  the 


driver  of  an  omnibus  holds  those  of 
his  poor  old  horses.  In  spite  of  the 
long  distance  and  the  many  turns  of 
the  road,  not  the  slightest  accident 
happened,  and  the  trip  was  made  in 
two  hours  and  twent)-five  minutes. 
Any  one  who  takes  a  bunch  of 
twenty-four  reins  in  his  hand  will 
agree  that  there  is  no  cjuestion  f)f 
really  guiding  the  horses.  Hard  to 
Imld  in  any  case,  how  can  the  driver 
select  the  pair  he  may  suddcnl)-  need } 
There  are  some  men,  however,  who 
liave  luck  in  this  world.  How  often 
we    see    a    sleeping    cartman    or    a 


A  Set  f)F  Six 


A  Well-Haunessed  Hukm. 

drunken  cabman  arrive  safe 
at  his  destination  to  the 
amazement  of  on-lookers  ! 

The  matter  is  much  simpler 
with  an  equipage  harnessed 
(I  la  Daniiioiit,  where  a  postil- 
ion sits  on  the  left-hand  horse 
of  each  pair  of  four,  six,  or 
eight  horses,  as  the  case  may 
be,  and  guides  his  own  horse 
and  the  one  beside  him,  the 
coachman  being  responsible 
for  the  wheel  horses  only  ;  in 
fact,  it  is  possible  to  advance 
without  any  coachman  at  all. 

The  harnessing  of  two- 
horses  tandem  was  originall\' 


THE   HORSE 


129 


A  Famous  Six-Huksk    Team 
and  for 


devised  to  assist  a  single  horse  in  pulling  a  load  and  for  giving  proofs  of  skill.     To  prevent  the 

too  heavy  for  him  on  a  road  too  narrow  to  ad-  long  reins  from  flapping,  rings  are  attached  be- 

mit  of  two  horses  abreast.    Later  it  was  adopted  hind  the  head  of  the  wheel  horse,  through  which 

as  a  means  of  showing  fine  horses  to  advantage,  the  forward  reins  are  passed.     On  a  straight 


First  Prize,  Work-Horse  Parade,  Boston 


I30 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


road  this  system  of  harnessing  works  well  with  regularly  in  the  same  wheel  rut  that  he  made 

docile  horses,  which  are  willing  to  go  easily  and  in  the  sand  at  starting.     However,  Plato,  the 

steadily,  but  special  aptitude  and  much  practice  philosopher,  thought  that  a  man  who  bestowed 

are  required  to  make  evolutions  correctly.  such  pains  upon  futile  things   must   naturally 


A  Si;t  of   Nink 

It  is  thought  a  great  test  of  skill  to  drive  neglect    those   that    are    more    important    and 

a  four-wheeled  carriage  in  such  a  way  that  one  more  worth}-  of  admiration, 
of  the  wheels  (selected  in  advance)  shall  crush 

an  egg ;  or  to  stop  the  vehicle  at  the  precise  •        *^^ 

moment  when  the  chosen  wheel  covers  a  piece  In  war  the  horse  formerly  had  a  far  more 

of  money  that  has  been  laid  upon  the  ground.  important  part  than  he  has  in  these  days,  when 


\\  .\Ti:i;iN(; 


It  is  related  that  in  ancient  times  a  Greek 
named  Arniceris  carried  the  noble  art  of  driv- 
ing to  such  perfection  that  he  made  the  cir- 
cuit of  an  amphitheater  several  times,  stopping 


civilization  has  made  such  strides  that  men  can 
perfectly  well  kill  each  other  without  the  help 
of  brute  beasts.  In  ancient  times  warriors  rode 
their  horses  bareback,  as  we  see  in  the  antique 


A  i'Ki/i.-\w.\M.\i,  Tkam  in  Chicago 


Tl.AiM   uF    Fak.M    I1iiI;.^i,s,    Olllu 


132 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


statues,  that  of  Emperor  Marcus  Aurelius,  for 
instance.  Neither  bit  nor  bridle  was  used  to 
hold  or  guide  them ;  often  the  rider  had  nothing 
but  a  species  of  headband  that  pressed  upon 
the  nose,  and  to  which  the  reins  were  attached 
by  a  ring.  The  excavations  at  Pompeii  have 
brought  to  light  many  fine  models  of  these 
headbands.  The  Romans  had  long  used  sad- 
dles, while  the  Germans,  regarding  them  as 
unmanly    and    enervating,    preferred    to    ride 


did  not  excel  either  in  strength  or  in  speed, 
and  that  their  riders  did  not  train  them,  as 
did  the  Romans,  to  gallop  round  the  enemy 
whom  they  assailed  with  their  arrows,  but 
made  them  go  straight  forward,  or,  at  best, 
swerve  a  little  to  the  right.  Horace  complains 
of  the  effeminacy  of  his  times.  "  The  young 
man  of  good  family,"  he  says,  "no  longer 
understands  the  art  of  riding  a  horse  and  of 
subduing  the  restive  chargers  of  the  Gauls." 


Winter 


bareback.  Before  the  latter  learned  to  use 
saddles  they  put  the  skins  of  animals  on  the 
backs  of  their  horses,  but  used  no  stirrups. 

The  ancient  Greeks  had  cavalry,  and  we 
know  that  Sesostris,  king  of  Egypt,  led  many 
mounted  warriors  into  battle.  These  same 
Greeks  as  well  as  the  Romans  wrote  books  on 
the  equine  race.  Hippocrates  states  that  the 
Scythians  were  afflicted  with  certain  maladies 
caused  by  riding  without  stirrups.  Tacitus 
transmits  to  us  details  on  the  horses  and  cav- 
alry of  the  Germans.    He  says  that  these  horses 


During  the  Crusades  the  Western  knights 
saw  and  learned  the  manner  in  which  the 
Eastern  warriors,  the  Saracens,  saddled  and 
rode  their  steeds.  We  refer  our  readers  to  the 
graphic  pages  of  Sir  Walter  Scott  for  a  descrip- 
tion of  a  combat  between  a  heavily  armed 
Scottish  knight  and  a  Moorish  emir. 

In  our  day  the  ponderous  animals  of  the 
days  of  chivalry  and  their  heavy  trappings  have 
been  replaced  by  the  much  lighter  horses  of  our 
cavalry,  though  the  artillery  and  the  transporta- 
tion trains  still  recjuire  powerful  draft  horses. 


THE   HORSE 


^33 


According  to  a  record  made  in  1901,  the   [ 
number   of   horses   employed    by   the    great 
mihtarv  powers  is  as  follows  : 


N  Times  of  Peace         In  Times  of  War 

France     .     . 

143,000 

.     400,000 

Russia 

140,000 

.     .     450,000 

Germany 

125,000 

400,000 

Italy    .     .     . 

So,ooo 

.     ■     ^45.°°° 

Austria     . 

78,000 

.     .     250,000 

England  .     . 

19,000 

70,000 

United  States 

7.43^' 

.     .  1,000,000 

On  all  sides  we  find  a  tendency  to  stop  the 
buying  of  war  horses  in  foreign  countries, 
each  country  seeking  to  supply  its  own  re- 
mounts. One  of  the  great  cares  of  all  military 
powers  should  be  to  have  at  their  disposal, 
in  case  of  war,  as  many  horses  as  possible. 

Yet  the  different  European  states  do  not 
all  remount  in  the  same  manner.  Prussia, 
which  requires  annually  nine  thousand  re- 
mount horses,  buys  them,  when  three  or  four 
years  old,  within  its  own  borders,  especially 
in  eastern  Prussia,  and  also  a  few  in  Han- 
over. They  are  then  divided  among  seven- 
teen remount  stations,  each  of  which  covers 
from  about  twenty-two  hundred  to  four  thou- 
sand acres  of  land,  so  that  the  animals  never 
suffer  from  want  of  movement  in  fresh  air. 

Saxony  needs  twelve  hundred   remounts 
annually,  which  she  obtains  equally  from  eastern 
Prussia  and  Hanover.  She  has  five  stations, three 
of  which  have  existed  for  nearly  three  centuries. 

Wiirttemburg  demands  annually  five  hundred 
remounts,  which  are  bought  of  two  ages  (four 
to  six,  and  three  to  four)  and  sent  to  Breithtilen, 


Types  of  Cav.'Vlrv  Horses 


The  Statue  of  Wn.LiAM  the  Silent 
AT  The  Hague 

a  remount  station  founded  in  1S98.    The  other 

German    states    obtain    their    military    horses 

from  Prussia. 

Italy  has  an  annual  need  of  thirty-six  hundred 

remounts  for  her  one  hundred  and  forty -four 
squadrons  of  cavalry  and  her 
twenty-six  artillery  regiments. 
Formerly  she  drew  them  in 
great  part  from  Hungary,  Ger- 
many, and  Denmark,  but  since 
the  year  18S8  she  has  obtained 
them  within  her  own  borders. 
They  are  mostly  bought  as  foals 
and  brought  up  at  the  remount 
stations.  In  1897  urgent  need 
obliged  the  government  to  im- 
port one  thousand  remount  ani- 
mals from  Hungary. 


134 


DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Remounts 


and  are  then  sent  directly  to 
the  regiments.  These  horses 
are  chiefly  drawn  from  Nor- 
mandy. The  French  remount 
stations  differ  from  those  of 
nearly  all  other  nations. 
Horses  are  there  trained  and 
delivered,  properly  taught,  to 
the  regiments,  whereas  in 
nearly  all  other  countries  food 
and  proper  care  is  all  that  the 
governments  give  to  their 
remounts.  In  fact,  in  some 
The  system  f)f  remount  as  applied  in  Norway  countries  there  is  a  practice  of  allowing  con- 
is  peculiar.    The  necessary  horses  are  delivered      tractors  to  feed  and  care  for  the  young  horses. 

by  the  owners  of  certain  farms,  who 

are   legally  bound   to   supply   them. 

This    bund,    or    obligation,    is    very 

ancient,  and  dates  back  probabl)'  to 

the   time   when   the    nobles   were 

obliged  in   times  f)f  war  to  furnish 

their  sovereign  with  a  certain  num- 
ber of  horse  and  foot  soldiers. 

In  Sweden,  where  the  number  of 

military  horses  is  about  six  thousand, 

they    have    an   annual    need   of   fi\c 

hundred  and  forty  remounts,  which 

are  all  bought  in  the  interior  of  the 

country,  at  an  age  varying  from  three 

to  si.\  years  ;  part  of  them  are  formed 

immediately  into  a  coqjs,   the   rest 

being  sent  to  the  remount  stations. 
France  needs  annually  fifteen 

thousand   young  horses  ;    those   for 

the  cavalry  are  bought  when  three  years  and 

a  half  old  and  sent  to  the  stations,  whereas  the      pains  to  fa\'or  the  production  of  good  animals, 

draft   horses  are   five  years  old  when  bought,      as   the  countr\'  is  lacking    in   good    stock.     It 

has  even  introduced  a  system 
of  premiums  for  remounts, 
which  amounted  in  1899  to 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
thousand  francs  ($25,000). 
These  premiums  are  in  pro- 
portion to  the  good  qualities 
of  the  animals,  but  they  can- 
not go  beyond  twenty-five 
hundred  francs  (S500)  per 
horse.    The  price  of  a  remount 


Raising  the  Leg  of  .a  Restive  Horse 


The  French  government  takes  the  greatest 


l-',xi urisi-    IN    Dkawing 


THE   HORSE 


135 


varies  from  twelve  to  eighteen  hundred  francs 
(S240  to  $360),  so  that  a  single  horse  may 
possibly  cost  the  state  forty-three  hundred 
francs  ($860). 

Because  of  these  measures,  and  of  the  fact 
that  three  thousand  stallions  are  placed  at  the 
disposal  of  breeders  and  divided  among  all 
the  stations,  the  French  government  succeeds 
in  supplying  itself  with  remounts  from  the 
home  country.  These  stallions,  however,  cost 
the  country  eight  million  francs  ($1,600,000) 
annually,  while  in  other  ways  more  than  six- 
teen milHon  ($3,200,000)  are  expended  each 
year  on  the  breeding  and  training  of  military 
horses. 

Austria-Hungary  requires  annuall)-  eight 
thousand  remounts,  which  are  easy  tf)  find 
within  the  borders  of  that  country.  In  1890 
the  government  began  to  establish  remount 
stations,  which  now  number  five.  One  part  of 
the  remounts  remain  there  a  year;  the  other 
part,  bought  when  five  years  of  age,  are  sent 
immediately  to  the  various  regiments. 


Switzerland  has  an  annual  need  of  six  hun- 
dred remounts,  which  are  bought  in  northern 
Germany  and  Ireland.    The  young  horses  spend 


A  Captain  ok  the  REruuLiCAN  Guard 

five  months  in  getting  acclimated  at  the  re- 
mount station  at  Berne.  They  are  then  sent  to 
a  school  for  remounts  to  be  trained.    Formerly 


136 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


every  mounted  Swiss 
soldier  supplied  his  own 
horse.  Nothing  remains  of 
this  custom  but  the  fact 
that  each  man  in  the  cav- 
alry service  may  become 
the  possessor  of  his  horse 
on  certain  conditions  and 
by  paying  a  certain  sum  ; 
also  he  ma}'  do  what  he 
likes  with  the  animal  when 
he  is  not  in  service.  In  case 
of  a  call  to  active  service 
he  must  bring  his  horse 
(which  has,  meantime,  been 
annually  inspected)  until 
the  tenth  year,  when  the 
animal  becomes  his  exclu- 
sive property.  It  would  be 
difficult  to  cite  a  better  ex- 
ample of  Swiss  democracy 
and  individualism. 

Spain  has  a  cavalr)-  of 
ten  thousand  horses,  the 
artillery  and  the  transpor- 
tation trains  being  usually  served  by  mules.  The 
remounts  are  bought  in  the  country  itself, 
except  a  few  heavy  draft  horses  which  are 
imported   from  Belgium. 


The  Repui!lic.^n  Gu.\rd,  Full  Dress 


Portugal,  with  four  thou- 
sand military  horses,  needs 
four  hundred  remounts 
annually,  which  are  bought 
at  home  wherever  they  can 
be  had  without  attaching 
much  importance  to  qual- 
ity. They  are  from  three 
to  seven  years  old  when 
bought,  and  the  youngest 
are  sent  to  the  remount 
station  of  Villa  Vi^osa. 

Servia,  which  in  times  of 
peace  maintains  six  thou- 
sand cavalry,  draws  her 
remounts  chiefly  from  Rus- 
sia and  Austria. 

Turkey  possesses  (on 
paper)  in  times  of  peace 
a  force  of  three  thousand 
cavalry.  The  remounts  are 
bought  from  Russia  and 
Hungary,  when  there  hap- 
pens to  be  money  enough 
to  do  so.  The  Turks  appear 
to  attach  more  importance  to  cheapness  than 
to  quality. 

In  Russia,  according  to  the  system  of  re- 
mounting employed  until  January  i,  1901,  the 
officers  on  remount  duty  bound  them- 
selves to  deliver  the  horses  at  a 
medium  price,  and  in  so  doing  played 
the  part  of  horse  jockeys.  At  pres- 
ent Russian  remounting  is  done  in 
the  German  manner,  that  is  to  say, 
by  militar)'  commissions  for  the  pur- 
chase of  animals.  A  certain  number 
of  horses  are  drawn  from  the  stud 
farms  of  the  state.  Some  regiments 
buy  their  own  mounts,  the  Cossack 
regiments  furnishing  theirs  and  pro- 
viding for  them  in  every  particular. 
The  government  encourages  the 
breeding  of  the  Cossack  horses  by 
distributing  three  hundred  stallions 
annually  among  the  Cossack  villages. 
Roumania  in  times  of  peace  counts 
twelve   thousand   cavalry,    and    fifty 


Firm  ! 


THE    HORSE 


'6/ 


TRUiMPETERS    UK    THE    CUIRASSIERS 


thousand  in  times  of  war.  Her  remounts  come 
chiefly  from  Hungary,  only  a  few  being  obtained 
within  her  own  borders. 

Belgium  has  more  than  ten  thousand  horses, 
and  her  annual  remount  is  one  thousand  ;  the 
draft  or  transportation  horses  are  easily  derived 
from  the  Ardennes.  The  breeding  of  cavalry 
horses  is  encouraged  to  the  utmost  by  the 
government. 

England  has  an  annual  need  of  nearly  three 
thousand  remounts,  which  it  is  easy  to  obtain 
in  that  country  itself.  The  government  takes 
no  interest  in  breeding,  except  in  the  poorest 
districts  of  Ireland,  where  it  has  stationed  a 
few  Hackney  stallions. 

Luxemburg,  having  a  cavalry  force  of  eight 
horses,  finds  little  difificulty  in  the  matter  of 
remounts. 

The  Netherlands  has  eight  thousand  military 
horses,  of  which  all  those  for  the  cavalry  and 
artillery  come  from  Ireland,  while  about  a  hun- 
dred heavier  horses  are  annually  bought  in  the 
provinces  of  Groningen  and  Gelderland.  They 
are  bought  at  three  and  four  years  of  age  and 
spend  one  year  at   Millingen  in  large   stables 


that  communicate  with  vast  fields,  where  they 
can  run  at  liberty.  Nourishing  food,  much 
exercise,  and    fresh   air  prepare  these   horses 


Horse  of  a  German  Artillery  Officer 


138 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


wonderfully  well  for  their  work.  After  passing 
another  six  months  in  training  at  the  regimen- 
tal stations  they  are  drafted  into  the  squadrons 
or  the  batteries. 

VI.   Hunting 

After  war  came  hmiting  as  the  next  neces- 
sity in  which  men  learned  to  use  horses,  as 
we  see  by  the  statues  and  engra\- 
ings  that  represent  to  us 
St.  George  hunting  th 
dragon  and  comiiiL: 
victorious  from  , 
the    fight. 

The 
structio 
of  dan- 
gerous 
and 


Hunting  has  always  been  an  English  passion 
which,  like  many  other  sports  and  bodily  exer- 
cises, has  passed  from  Great  Britain  to  the 
Continent  and  to  America.  This  explains  why 
the  English  have  applied  themselves  especially 
to  the  breeding  of  hunting  horses.  The  country 
itself,  by  the  lay  of  its  land,  is  very  favorable  to 
cynegetic  exercises,  having  few  curves  and  many 
plains  with  only  such  obstacles  and 
barriers  as  a  horse  can  jump. 
The  annals  of  hunting' 


n  England  are  very 

k     interesting  to 

^^  those    who 

^^^k  have  a  taste 

^^^^  for 

^^^^^  sort 

^^^^^^k    thing. 

^^^^k    It 

mischie 
vous  ani- 
mals, whK.i 
at  first  was  a  ' 
necessity,  be- 
came very  quickly  a 
pleasure,  and  has  endol 
in  becoming  an  art,  thanks  to 
the  enjoyment  derived  from  motion 
in  the  open  air,  and  from  the  pleasure 
of  surmounting  obstacles  and  braving  dangers. 
The  death  of  the  hunted  animal  is  only  an 
accessory;  the  seeking  of  the  dogs,  the  joyous 
sound  of  the  huntsman's  horn,  the  pleasure 
of  proving  to  others  our  agility,  strength, 
courage,  intrepidity,  —  herein  lies  the  true  joy 
of  hunting. 


iclated 

'    that  early 

y'    m  the   last 

.f     cent  u  r  y    a 

*^.^^.,^r      deer,  hunted  b\- 

the  hounds  of  the 

,.-  king  of    England,    ran 

I'lr  four  hours  and  forty-five 


GeRM.\X    BoI)V(,U.\RD 


minutes.     Rider  after 


;r  a:a\'e  up 


and  could  ride  no  more.  One  horse 
fell  dead,  another  expired  before  he  reached  the 
stable,  and  seven  others  died  during  the  follow- 
ing week  (a  mortality  as  great  as  or  even  greater 
than  that  of  a  Spanish  bullfight).  Huntsmen 
never  lose  sight  of  the  game,  which  can,  there- 
fore, never  slacken  its  speed  or  rest  for  a  single 
instant.     For  the  best  horse  a  run  of  four  hours 


140 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


111  IK^K^    Hi      1  111.     l..\(. Ll-.il    AkM-i 


and  forty  minutes  at  full  gallop  across  all  sorts 
of  ground  and  over  many  obstacles  is  sure  to 
result  in  either  permanent   injury  or  death. 

Here  are  a  few  instances  in  which  the  Eng- 
lish passion  for  hunting  wild  animals  has  been 
carried  to  extravagant  excess.  The  old  Duke 
of  Richmond  suffered  so  much  from  the  gout 


Training  to  Hunt 


that  he  had  to  be  lifted  onto  his  horse,  and 
being  unable  to  hold  the  reins,  they  were  passed 
round  his  neck.  And  thus  he  was  seen  to  ride 
down  the  slopes  of  Bow  Hill,  near  Goodwood, 
at  full  gallop  after  the  hounds,  with  all  the  fire 
of  youth,  his  arms  crossed  on  his  breast. 

An  old  general,  who  had  had  his  left  arm 
shot  off  near  the  shoulder,  leaving  only  a 
little  stvimp  under  which  he  could  hold  his 
whip,  kept  up  with  the  boldest  huntsman  of 
the  county  of  Kildare,  the  hardest  hunting 
ground  in  Ireland,  keeping  with  the  hounds 
in  places  where  the  most  experienced  riders 
found  it  difficult  to  retain  their  seats. 

A  third  case  is  that  of  an  old  English 
nobleman  who,  on  becoming  blind,  was  un- 
able to  relinquish  his  mastering  passion.  He 
persisted  in  following  the  hounds  attended 
by  a  valet,  who  shouted  to  his  master  as 
each  obstacle  loomed  in  sight :  "  Bank  !  " 
—  "  Brook  !  "  —  "  Wall !  "  —  "  Fence  !  "  — 
"  Jump  and  jump  !  "  —  meaning  two  ditches, 


THE    HORSE 


141 


requiring  the  horse  first  to  jump 
down  and  then  to  jump  up.  In 
this  way  that  old  blind  man 
hunted  for  several  years.  Some- 
times the  valet,  not  being  so 
good  a  rider  as  his  master, 
"came  a  cropper"  in  a  ditch, 
while  the  old  man  continued  his 
way,  trusting  to  the  instinct  of 
his  horse,  the  horn  of  the  hunts- 
man, or  the  cry  of  the  dogs. 

The  taste  for  hunting  is  so 
popular  both  in  England  and 
in  Ireland  that  a  fox  chased  by 
hounds  and  huntsmen  puts  a 
whole  countryside  in  commo- 
tion. The  plowman  unhooks  a 
horse    from    his    plow,    jumps 

upon  his  back,  and  follows  the  hunt  as  far  be  a  Thoroughbred.  Others  ride  donkeys,  or 
as  the  beast  has  strength  to  go.  The  Irish  race  along  on  foot,  or  mount  some  vantage 
peasant  does  better  still,  because  the  first  ground  whence  they  can  admire  the  good  riders 
horse  he  can  lay  hands  on  is  almost  sure  to      and  make  fun  of  the  bad  ones. 


TRAiNiN(i  TO  Hunt 


1  hi;  .Mi-.f.t 


142 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


To  make  it  possible  for  people  of  small 
means  to  enjoy  this  sport,  many  hunting  soci- 
eties have  been  organized,  the  members  of 
which  contribute  stated  sums  for  the  main- 
tenance of  wolves,  deer,  hounds,  hunts- 
men, and  horses.  A  red  coat  and 
a  high  hat  are  obligatory  ;  the 
owner  of  the  dogs  carries 
a  horn,  and  all  the  other 
participants  only  a  hunt 
ing  crop. 

The  animals  chietl)' 
hunted  are  hares,  stags, 
and  foxes.  The  practice 
of  hunting  hares  is  said 
to  be  thousands  of  years 
old  ;  that  of  hunting  stags 
is  also  very  ancient,  and  is 
carried  on  with  animals  kept 
and  trained  for  this  purpose.    W'l 
all    know    the    Draconian    laws   of 
William  the  Concjueror  (eleventh  cen-    jypg  ^p 
tury),  who  ordered  that  all   dogs  in  a 
hunting  countr}-  should  have  three  of  their  toes 
cut  off  to  keep  them  from  following  the  hounds. 

As  for  fox  hunting,  which  is  really  the  prin- 
cipal sport,  the  foxes  are  cared  for  and  pro- 
tected in  every  wav.  In  some  districts  a  hunt 
takes  place  three  times  a  week ;  a  good  horse 


The  Favorite 


can  be  used  for  two  of  them,  though  one  is 
often  quite  enough  for  him.  Fox  hunting  is 
especially  hard  and  fatiguing  for  hijrses. 

VII.     R.XCIXG 

Races  under  their  present  form 
\i  I     ,  ../  were   first    known   in    Eng- 

--'-'^—J!-- 1     land,  where  we  find  them  in 

the  Middle  Ages ;  these 
were  frequently  like  the 
steeplechases  of  our 
day.  Such  games  were 
called  "clock  races," 
and  the  prizes  were 
enerally  little  wooden 
clocks,  or  clock  towers, 
decorated  with  flowers ; 
later  these  prizes  were  made 
m  silver.  From  them  comes 
our  term  "  steeplechase." 
Race  courses  were  legally  organized 
Hunter  ^^  ^^^  reign  of  James  I,  who  is  regarded 
as  the  creator  of  this  sport.  Charles  I 
organized  race  courses  in  H\de  Park  and  at 
Newmarket,  and  Cromwell's  equerry,  Place,  is 
mentioned  in  the  stud  book  (the  register  for 
Thoroughbreds)  and  in  the  racing  calendar 
(record  book  of  races)  as  being  the  owner  of 
very  beautiful  Eastern  stallions  which  "  shone 
upon  the  ground." 

Races,  however,  did  not 
acquire  their  full  development 
until  the  reign  of  Charles  II, 
who  imported  Arabian  mares, 
called  royal  mares.  About  the 
year  1700  Eastern  stallions 
were  imported,  with  which  the 
true  history'  of  racing  begins. 
One  of  the  most  celebrated  race 
horses  was  Eclipse,  descended 
in  direct  male  line  from  the 
Arabian  stallion  bought  near 
Aleppo  by  the  merchant  Bar- 
ley ;  through  his  mother  Eclipse 
he  also  had  Oriental  blood  in 
his  veins.  Born  in  1764,  he  was 
gray  in  color,  tall,  and  long  in 
body.    History  tells  that  he  was 


THE   HORSE 


H3 


never  distanced,  and   never  needed  either 
whip  or  spur. 

Flying  Dutchman,  born  in  1S46,  had 
already  run  five  races  when  he  was  two 
and  a  half  years  old,  winning  two  prizes 
(;£iioo  and  £^00}  at  Newmarket,  one 
(;£i200)  at  Liverpool,  and  two  (£82^  and 
£soo)  at  Doncaster.  When  three  years 
old  he  won  the  Derby  (^£63 20),  and  when 
four  years  old  he  won  the  cup  given  by  the 
czar  of  Russia  at  Ascot.  Besides  these 
prizes  he  won  ^£^60,000  at  other  races  for 
his  owner.  Lord  Eglinton.  When  five  years 
old  he  won  a  match  for  j^iooo  against 
Voltigeur,  a  worth)-  rival.  At  the  start 
Voltigeur  got  a  lead  of  three  lengths,  which 
he  kept  nearly  all  the  way.  Towards  the 
close,  however,  Flying  Dutchman,  urged 
by  his  jockey,  put  forth  his  full  strength 
and  easily  beat  his  competitor.  The  dis- 
tance done  was  two  English  miles,  and  the  time 
was   three   minutes   and    thirty-three   seconds. 

Several    sorts   of   races    exist    for   each    of 
which  there   are  distinct  and  fixed  rules  and 


Rf,.\I)V    I-nH    THE    R.\CE 


regulations.    Of  these  different  races,  the  i)rin- 
cipal  are  the  following. 

A  "match"  is  a  simple  race  between  two: 
horses,  in  which  much  money  is  often  staked.' 


Before  the  Race 


144 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


In  1/99  Hambletonian  and  Diamond  ran  for  a 
sum  of  three  thousand  guineas  at  Newmarket. 

A  "sweepstakes"  is  a  race  in  which  several 
horses  may  take  part,  the  winner  taking  the 
total  of  the  stakes. 

The  "  king's  or  queen's  plate"  is  a  prize  given 
by  the  sovereign  ;  formerly  it  consisted  of  some 
object  of  art,  but  of  late  it  has  taken  the  form 
of  a  purse  containing  one  hundred  guineas. 


chances  are  that  all  the  horses  will  be  equal. 
When  the  weighting  is  made  known  on  the 
morning  of  the  race  any  owner  who  is  dissat- 
isfied may  withdraw  his  horse  without  paying 
a  forfeit. 

Newmarket  is  a  little  town  where  the  most 
numerous  and  most  important  races  are  held. 
The  land  is  perfectly  smooth  and  even,  and 
very  faxorable  for  what  are   called   flat  races 


Quo   V.\DIS 


The  "  Derby  "  is  a  race  run  at  Epsom  b\' 
three-year-old  stallions. 

The  "  Oaks  stake  "  is  also  run  at  Epsom  by 
three-year-old  fillies,  while  the  St.  Leger  is  run  at 
Doncaster  by  three-year-old  horses  of  all  kinds. 

A  "handicap"  is  run  by  different  partici- 
pants, but  the  weight  they  carry  varies  accord- 
ing to  the  way  they  have  run  in  previous  races. 
If  the  handicapper,  that  is  the  man  who  dis- 
tributes the  weights,  knows   his  business,  the 


in  CDntradistinction  to  steeplechases,  or  races 
over  barriers  and  obstacles.  The  Newmarket 
races  often  last  a  week,  e.xcluding  Sunday. 
There  are  twenty  different  tracks  and  several 
trainers'  stables.  The  king  of  England,  who  has 
a  large  stud  of  racers  and  is  an  ardent  sports- 
man, has  an  establishment  at  Newmarket  in 
charge  of  the  trainer  Richard  Marsh.  One  can 
often  see  the  king  himself,  mounted  on  a  stout 
pony,  superintending  the  training  of  his  horses. 


THE   HORSE 


145 


'Derby  Day"  in  oihek  Days 


Every  day  on  the  j^lain  around  Newmarket  body  by  sweating  and  laxative  dosing.  Sweat- 
over  one  hundred  of  the  most  celebrated  horses  ing  is  induced  by  galloping  the  animal  under 
in  England  can  be  seen.  woolen  blankets  ;  he  is  physicked  by  pills  corn- 
Training,  professionally  so  called,  has  for  its  posed  chiefly  of  aloes.  Thus  the  body  is  kept 
object  to  develop  and  strengthen  by  exercise,  slim,  especially  the  stomach,  which  sometimes 
and  to  bring  a  variety  of  humors   out   of  the  appears    drawn   in   like    that  of   a  greyhound, 


'Derby  Day"  in  our  Day 


146 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Scene  at  Newmarket 


while  the  formation  of  fat  and  of  ligaments 
betw'een  the  muscles  and  the  tendons  is  checked 
as  much  as  possible.  For  the  same  reasons  the 
horse  receives  but  a  moderate  though  substan- 
tial amount  of  food.  This  regimen  is  naturally 
a  test  of  the  animal's  strength  ;  many  of  them 
succumb  under  it. 

The  jockeys  train  themselves  in  very  much 
the  same  way.    They  present,  like  their  horses, 


a  spare  appearance,  lean  and  skinny,  but  agile 
and  vigorous,  —  an  appearance  not  seen  out- 
side racing  stables.  On  the  other  hand,  good 
jockeys  can  feather  their  nests  so  well  that 
they  soon  bid  adieu  to  saddles  and  starvation, 
and  pass  the  rest  of  their  lives  in  pretty  villas, 
where  they  at  once  recover  their  plumpness. 
Betting  is  inse]3arable  from  a  race  course,  and 
is  often  the  cause  of  swindling.     It  frequently 


The   Race  Won 


THE   HORSE 


147 


were  the  victims  of  their  own 
cheating. 

Enormous  sums  are  often 
paid  for  good  race  horses, 
which  is  not  surprising  inas- 
much as  enormous  sums  may 
be  won  with  them.  In  March, 
1900,  at  a  pubhc  sale  of  the 
horses  of  the  Dutie  of  West- 
minster, the  celebrated  racer 
Hying  Fox,  which  had  won 
the  Derby  the  preceding  year, 
was  bought  for  $200,000,  by 
the  celebrated  French  breeder 
of  Thoroughbreds,  M.  Edmond 
Blanc.  Up  to  that  time  this 
was  the  highest  sum  ever 
given  for  a  horse.  At  two 
years  of  age  this  stallion  had 
happens  that  those  who  have  bet  on  a  horse  raced  three  times  and  carried  off  two  prizes  ;  at 
emplov  all  means  to  render  a  dangerous  rival  three  years  he  raced  six  times  and  was  victor 
harmless.     Here  is  an  illustration.  in  all.    By  eleven  races,  won  by  him  before  he 


Flying  t  ox 


The  Duke  of  Queensberry, 
an  excellent  horseman  him- 
self, received  notice  from  his 
jockey,  who  was  to  ride  for 
him  the  next  day,  that  he  had 
been  offered  a  considerable 
sum  of  money  from  persons 
who  had  backed  another 
horse,  if  he  would  restrain  the 
duke's  horse  and  let  himself 
be  beaten.  "Accept  the 
monev,"  said  the  duke,  "and 
come  upon  the  course  to- 
morrow with  the  horse  as  if 
nothing  had  happened."  The 
jockey  did  so,  but  just  before 
the  start  was  made  the  duke 
said  suddenly,  "  The  weather 
is  so  fine  I  think  I  will  ride 
my  own  horse."  So  saying, 
he  threw  off  his  cloak  and  ap- 
peared in  jockey  dress.  He 
won  the  race  and  caused  the 
loss  of  many  bets  that  were 
dependent  upon  the  bribe,  so 
that  the  swindlers  themselves 


was  four  years  old,  he 
earned  for  his  master 
$200,441.  For  his  half- 
brother  Frontier  the 
French  government  paid 
150,000  francs  ($30,000). 
When  Flying  Fox  reached 
France  he  was  put  at  the 
service  of  breeders  for  two 
thousand  dollars  per  mare. 
The  Duke  of  Westmin- 
ster had  sold  in  1 889,  at  the 
reduced  and   trifling  price 


A  Superb  Jump 


i4'S 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


of  $24,000,  the  stallion  Ormond,  grandsire  of      in  studying   the    subject   of    breeding   horses, 


Flying  Fox,  who  had  a  defect  in  breathing. 
Bought  b\-  the  Argentine  Republic,  this  horse 
was  afterward  sold  in  tills  coimtry  for  the  sum 
of  $105,000. 

All  this  proves  that  other  countries  besides 
the  United  States  value  pure  blood  and  are 
taking  interest  in  races  and  the  breeding  of 
racing  horses. 

VIII.   Trottixo   R.vces 

The  trot  is  a  method  of  progression  that  is 
more  or  less  artificial  and  acquired ;  it  is 
unknown,  one  might  say,  to  horses  in  their 
natural  state,  their  primitive  gait  being  either 
a  walk  or  a  gallop.  Certain  horses  and  certain 
breeds  have  shown  more  disposition  than  others 
to  acquire  the  trot,  and  as  a  result  of  breed- 
ing with  that  end  constantly  in  view,  races 
of  trotters  have  been  formed  of  which  the 
Dutch,  or  Frisian,  is  the  most  ancient.  Others 
came  later,  like  the  Norfolk  trotter  of  Eng- 
land, the  Russian  Orloff,  the  English  Hackney, 
and  the  American  trotter,  but  in  e\'erv  case  the 
Frisian  trotter  contributed   to   produce  them. 


whose  value  depends  on  speed  at  a  certain 
gait.  The  order  or  movement  in  the  trot  is 
left  fore  foot,  right  hind  foot,  right  fore  foot. 


Trixqueur,  Frenxii  Trotter 


To  persons  accustomed  to  horses  the  differ- 
ences of  the  various  gaits  are  familiar,  but  to 
fix  them  thoroughly  in  mind  is  a  first  necessity 


Cresceus  2.02  j^ 

left  hind  foot.  Thus  the  left  fore  foot  and  right 
hind  foot  move  in  unison,  striking  the  ground 
together;  then  in  turn  the  right  fore  foot  and 
left  hind  foot  complete  the  revolution,  making 
the  tr(.)t  a  diagonal  gait.  The  pace  or  amble 
is  an  entirely  different  gait,  the  feet  of  each 
side  moving  in  unison,  making 
a  lateral  order  of  progression 
instead  of  the  diagonal  as  in 
the  trot. 

Sport  with  trotting  horses 
is  quite  ancient  in  the  Low 
Countries  of  Europe ;  it  is 
one  of  the  oldest  amusements 
there,  together  with  skating, 
tennis,  and  partridge  shoot- 
ing. It  has  certainly  con- 
tributed to  form  a  race  of 
trotters  which  now  enjoys  a 
European  reputation.  The 
best  horses  of  the  Dutch 
breed  were  bought  by  other 
countries,  and  by  coupling 
them  with  the  supple  and 
more  fiery  Eastern  breeds  a 
race  of  trotters  surpassing 
their  Frisian  ancestors  has  been  obtained. 

The    French    trotter    distinguished    himself 
chiefly  on  a  short-distance  track,  say  of  three 


THE    HORSE 


149 


or  four  hundred  yards.  It  often  happened  that 
these  races  were  started  by  some  tavern  keeper, 
who  offered  one  or  more  prizes  to  the  victor  ; 
"but,"  says  "CviS.  Ecuycr  Neerlandais,  "the  trot- 
ters most  be  lodged  in  the  tavern  keeper's 
stable,  and  whoso  obtains  the  prize  is  expected 
to  feast  his  rivals  and  supply  them  with  a  cer- 
tain number  of  bottles  of  wine." 

In  former  times  the  Frisian  races  were 
trotted  on  horseback  on  short-distance  tracks. 
These  have  now  given  way  to  races  in  sulkies 
(light,  single-seated  vehicles)  on  tracks  ranging 


that  does  not  include  horse  racing  among  its 
many  attractions.  Many  of  the  large  cities 
also  have  race  tracks,  controlled  by  driving  or 
racing  associations,  where  annual  meets  are 
held,  rival  horses  being  sent  from  long  dis- 
tances to  compete  for  the  money  prizes  and 
to  contest  for  the  favors  of  the  large  numbers 
of  people  who  gather  daily  to  enjoy  this  royal 
sport. 

The  gray  race  horse  Messenger  has  played 
the  most  important  part  in  founding  the  trot- 
ting breed  in  the  United  States.    Our  many 


Russian  Trotter 


in  length  from  one-half  mile  to  a  mile,  on  which 
the  Russian  Orloff  and  the  American  trotter 
particularly  distinguish  themselves  in  the  north 
of  Europe  and  in  the  United  States.  This  old 
popular  amusement  has  become  a  science  and 
an  art,  in  which,  however,  the  practical  and 
profitable  object  is  not  lost  sight  of.  Every 
effort  is  made  to  keep  the  trotting  horse  well 
balanced,  that  is  to  say,  to  keep  him  to  his  trot 
with  the  utmost  possible  rapidity  without  degen- 
erating into  a  gallop.  The  speed  displayed  in 
these  races  is  something  extraordinary. 

American  people  especially  have  always  been 
enthusiastic  supporters  of  trotting  races,  and 
to-day  there  is  scarcely  a  county  or  state  fair 


famous  families  of  trotting  horses  have  been 
built  upon  Messenger,  who  was  imported  to 
this  country  during  the  latter  part  of  the 
eighteenth  century.  This  famous  horse  was 
foaled  in  1780  in  England.  He  was  sired  by 
Mambrino  out  of  a  daughter  of  Turf.  Mam- 
brino  was  by  Engineer,  son  of  Sampson,  by 
Blaze,  by  Flying  Childers,  son  of  the  Darley 
Arabian,  a  horse  imported  to  England  from 
the  Orient  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne.  Turf, 
the  reputed  sire  of  the  dam  of  Messenger,  was 
by  Matchem,  son  of  Cade,  by  the  Godolphin 
Arabian.  The  four  chief  families  of  the  Ameri- 
can trotting  horse  are  Hambletonian,  the  Mam- 
brino Chief,  the  Clays,  and  the  Black  Hawks. 


i^o 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Just  when  racing  at  either  the  trotting,  run- 
ning, or  pacing  gait  began  in  America  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  determine  ;   but  there  is  a  record  of  a 


W       If  bI  ,. 

^:-  "  f      ^ 

r  -      Jl  ■ 


Average  Extreme  Speed 

1S20  to  1S30 2.42 

1.S30  to  1S40 2.2,S'4 

1S40  to  1S50 2.28^^ 

I.S50  to    i860 2J25 

i860  to  1870 2.1834: 

1S70  to  18S0 2.14 

iSSoto  1890 a.iojij' 

iSgoto  1900 ~-°3/i 

1901  to  1907 1-58^ 

This  evolution  of  speed  is  due  to  skill  in 
breeding  and  training  and  to  improved  tracks, 
appliances,  and  methods. 

Just  what  rate  of  speed  the  trotter  will  ulti- 
mately attain  is  a  question  much  discussed,  and 
any  attemj^t  to  answer  is  the  merest  speculation. 
In  \iew  of  the  fact  that  the  trotting  breed  is 
still    in  its  infancy,  and    that    the   average  of 


Hamkletom-AN  Stallion 

running  race  on  Hempstead  Heath,  Long 
Island,  in  1665.  There  is  a  recorded  trotting 
performance  at  Harlem,  New  York,  July  6, 
1S06,  at  which  time  Yankee  trotted  a  mile  in 
2.50.  At  Philadelphia,  in  August,  1810,  a  Bos- 
ton horse  trotted  a  mile  in  2.48^^.  Perhaps 
these  records  fairly  represent  the  speed  limit 
in  America  a  century  ago.  If  we  take  it  for 
granted  that  Yankee  could  trot  a  mile  in  2.50 

Dan  Patch  i.ssH 

extreme  trotting  speed  is  still  advancing,  it 
would  be  absurd  to  fi.x  a  limit  and  a  time  when 
progress  will  suddenly  cease.  Of  course  im- 
provement in  speed  becomes  more  difficult  as 
the  rate  increases,  but  we  may  yet  see  many 
old  records  broken  and  many  new  champions 
come  into  favor  and  fame.  If  in  one  century  of 
time  more  than  fifty  seconds  were  clipped  from 
the  record,  surely  in  another  century  may  we 
not  expect  a  quarter  or  even  half  as  much  ? 

IX.  The  Tre.\tment  of  Horses 
The  services  that  the  horse  renders  to  man, 
in    1S06  in  contrast   with   the    i-S^H    of    Lou      and    the  pleasures  he  procures   for  him,  give 
Dillon  in  1904,  we  have  a  difference  of  .51/4  in      him  a  right  to  conscientious  care,  good  food, 
a  centin-y.  and  charitable  treatment.    Yet  how  often  these 


DnuxTU.M  2.05'4: 


THE   HORSE 


lii 


duties  to  the  animal  are  unfulfilled  !  Chicago 
is  said  to  be  the  hell  of  horses,  but  ocular  wit- 
nesses say  that  compared  with  St.  Petersburg 
it  is  their  paradise. 

The  Russian  peasant  gives 
soft  names  to  his  horses,  but 
often  denies  them  food  —  per- 
haps because  he  has  so  little 
for  himself.  In  the  days  of 
serfdom  the  peasants  (with 
permission  of  their  masters) 
came  in  crowds  to  the  capital 
with  their  skeletons  of  horses, 
to  let  them  for  saddle  or  har- 
ness, and  thus  prolong  their 
own  miserable  lives  and  those 
of  their  beasts. 

English  grooms  hold  the 
first    rank   for   the   care   they 
give   to   their   animals.     The 
bandaging    of    the    legs,    the 
rubbing   of   the   muscles  and 
tendons  with  stimulants  and  tonics,  the  partic- 
ular  method    of    cleaning    (during   which    the 
groom  makes  a  curious  hissing  noise  with  his 
teeth  and  lips),  the  sponging  of  the  backs, — 
all    this    is   of    English   origin    and    has    been 
adopted  by  the  other  nations  of  Europe  and  by 


treatment  of  the  animal  by  the  Anglo-Sa.xon 
races  has  done  much  to  ameliorate  his  condi- 
tion all  over  the  civilized  world. 


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Brushing  Him 

America.  In  England  the  horse,  especially  the 
Thoroughbred,  is  idolized  by  young  and  old, 
by  great  and  small ;   this  careful  and  intelligent 


Champion   Double  Team,  "  So.mktimes"'  and  "Always" 

Our  readers  have  probably  heard  of  V.   S. 
Rarey,  a  native  of  Ohio,  who  became  celebrated 
about  the   year    i860  by  the  gentleness  with 
which  he  conquered  restive  and  vicious  horses. 
He  went  to  England  and  made  his  first  attempts 
at    Tattersall's,  the  well-known  establishment 
where  the  most  important  sales  of  horses 
and  carriages  were  made.     In  a  single  day 
he  was  able  to  render  tractable  the  most 
\icious    and    uncontrollable    animals.     He 
began  with  one  which  was  terrible  for  its 
ferocity.     In  less  than  one  day  the  animal 
followed  him   round  the  arena   like  a  dog 
and  did  everything  that  he  ordered.     Lord 
Derby  gave  him  a  little  Thoroughbred  mare 
so  savage  as  to  be  useless,  and  the  same 
result  was  obtained.     A  white  horse  from 
the  royal  stables,  which  no  one  had  been 
able    to    master,    became    soft   as    wax    in 
Rarey's  hands.     Rarey's  fame  being  spread 
abroad,  he  was  called  on  to  give  representa- 
tions of  his  method  in  the  presence  of  the 
queen  and  other  dignitaries.  Two  duchesses 
took  lessons  from  him,  for  which  instruction  he 
asked  ;£20  each.   Afterwards  he  went  to  France, 
where  he  displayed  his  art  before  the  Emperor. 


1^2 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Lord  Dorchester  brought  him  a  horse  named 
Crusader,  unrul)-  from  his  birth  and  showing 
his  viciousness  every  day  and  every  moment. 
The  animal  seemed  almost  insane.  He  would 
fall  upon  his  knees  in  a  fit  of  fury  and  dig  up 
the  earth  with  his  teeth,  or  he  would  fling  him- 
self against  the  sides  of  the  stall,  kicking  and 
screaming  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour  at  a  time. 
Often  he  would  let  no  one  enter  his  stall ;  his 
strength  was  so  great  that  once  he  broke  an 


Derby  begged  Rarey  not  to  e.xpose  his  life  any 
longer ;  but  the  American  persisted  and  ob- 
tained the  success  we  have  stated. 

Rarey  possessed,  moreover,  the  necessary 
gifts  of  patience,  calmness,  courage,  and  self- 
possession,  and  his  method  was  adapted,  above 
all,  to  the  animal's  intelligence.  He  explained 
his  principles  in  a  little  treatise  written  by  him- 
self and  published  first  in  America  and  then  in 
England,  where  three  hundred  thousand  copies 


Horses  Ready  for  Tr.^nsport 


iron  bar  in  two.  In  three  hours  Rarey  calmed 
the  animal  so  that  he  allowed  him,  and  also  the 
owner,  to  ride  him,  although  no  one  until  then 
had  been  able  to  mount  him.  During  the  three 
hours'  training  the  vicious  brute,  with  open 
mouth  and  savage  cries,  had  twice  flung  him- 
self upon  Rarey,  who  escaped  by  slipping 
through  a  half -opened  door.  Little  by  little  the 
horse  grew  calmer  and  allowed  himself  to  be 
fastened  to  a  transversal  log.  This  restraint, 
hitherto  unknown  to  him,  maddened  him  at 
first,   and    his   fury   was  so  violent   that    Lord 


were  sold  in  three  weeks.  In  it  we  see  (as  was 
evident  at  his  exhibitions)  that  he  employed  no 
trick  or  artifice,  but  treated  the  horses  naturally, 
being  very  careful  never  to  startle  or  frighten 
or  hurt  them. 

Another  horse  breaker  and  trainer  more  or 
less  famous  was  Baucher.  He  used  various 
secret  means  ;  he  put  into  the  horse's  nostrils 
oil,  which  gave  out  a  strong  smell  of  burnt 
horn ;  he  made  the  animal  inhale  the  sweat 
under  his  arms,  and  he  blew  into  his  nose. 
Possibly  Baucher  had  faith  in  these  means,  but 


THE    HORSE 


153 


it  is  also  very  likely  that  he  employed 
them  to  throw  dust  into  the  eyes  of 
the  spectators.  For  the  rest,  his  treat- 
ment was  very  violent  and  aimed  at 
breaking  the  animal's  will  and  de- 
stroying all  power  of  resistance. 

To  subdue  an  unruly  horse  (which 
has  often  been  made  unruly  b_\'  ill 
usage),  as  well  as  to  train  them  at 
all  times,  inexhaustible  patience  and 
an  immovable  will  are  absolutely 
necessary,  and  they  never  fail  to 
make  the  animal  do  what  is  desired. 
Unfortunately  not  every  man  who  has 
the  care  of  horses  will  see  or  learn 
this  truth.  The  horse,  it  should  be  re- 
membered, has  certain  distinguishing  qualities 


Coming  In 

Having  been  under  the  hand  and  guidance  of 
man  from  generation  to  generation 
(far  more  than  any  other  animal),  he 
is  by  nature  docile ;  he  also  has 
a  strong  memory  and  is  very  sub- 
missive to  the  power  of  habit. 

X.  Shoeing 

One  of  the  most  important  points 
in  the  care  of  horses  is  their  shoeing. 
Wild  horses,  it  is  true,  can  go  with- 
out irons  on  their  feet ;  but  it  is  not 
so  with  our  domestic  animals,  be- 
cause, in  the  first  place,  their  hoofs 
are  not  so  hard,  and  in  the  second 
place,   because  our  stony  roads  are 


Cleaning  Him 

evidently  not  so  favorable  to  them  as  the 
grassy  ground  of   the  steppes  and  prairies. 

Shoeing  must  therefore  be  regarded  as  a 
necessary  evil,  for  evil  it  is.  By  driving  nails 
into  the  hoof  holes  are  made  through  which  dirt 
and  disease  may  enter,  while  the  hoof,  which 
has  a  natural  tendency  to  disintegrate,  becomes 
weaker  and  less  resistant.  In  order  to  avoid 
this  injury  many  methods  have  been  invented 
to  apply  the  iron  shoes  without  having  recourse 
to  nails,  but  no  satisfactory  result  has  yet  been 
attained,  and  we  are  still  constrained  to  keep 
to  the  old  system. 

To  lessen  the  shock  of  the  hoof  on  a  hard 
road  and  to  protect  the  frog,  various  soft  cov- 
erings have  been  used,  the  best  known  of 
which  are   India    rubber,  felt,   tow,   and   cork. 


Before  CRrncs 


154 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


The  tow  pad  is  much  used  in  the  German  cities.  that  can  be  screwed  on  and  off,  the  latter  being 
It  consists  of  an  iron  shoe  with  a  hollow  on  the  in  the  shape  of  the  letter  H,  which  prevents 
inside  in  which   the   tow  is  fixed,  coming  out      them  from  being  too  rapidly  blunted. 


At  xnE  Ul.xi  ks.mii  ii's 


a  little  beyond  the  level  of  the  shoe.  It  thus 
forms  a  soft  layer,  which  lessens  the  shock  and 
also  prevents  the  horse  from  slipping  on  the 
asphalt  pavements. 

One  of  the  most  important  problems  is  the 
shoeing  of  horses   in  winter,  when  a  shoe  is 


Shoes  have  also  been  invented  for  special 
purposes,  more  particularly  for  race  horses. 
To  increase  their  speed  more  w-eight  is  put 
in  various  ways  into  certain  parts  of  the  shoe  ; 
and  in  order  to  oblige  the  hind  feet  to  be  placed 
outwardly  on  the  ground  and  thus  be  thrown 
beyond  the  fore  feet,  more  weight  is  given  to 
the  external  edge  of  the  shoe.  Special  shoes 
have  also  been  invented  for  all  sorts  of  diseases 
of  the  legs  and  hoofs.  To  correct  hoofs  that 
grow  too  narrow  at  the  back  (feet  with  pinched 
heels),  there  are  many  kinds  of  shoeing ;  one,  for 
instance,  makes  the  shoe  in  the  shape  of  a  half- 
moon,  leaving  the  rear  half  of  the  hoof  unshod. 


S 1 1 1 1 1  I  \  I 


Mules 


XI.  The  Usefulness  of  Horses 

needed    that   shall    not    slip    on    ice    or   snow.  Before  taking  leave  of  this  noble  quadruped 

Nails  with  pointed  heads  may  be  employed,  or      we  ought   to   mention    the   practical   utility  of 
shoes  sharpened  at  the  points,  or  pointed  bars      his   body  to     man.     Mare's    milk,   in    the   first 


Shoes  with  Soft  Cushions  fiK  Tow,  Cork,  Felt,  and  Gutta-percha 


Stables  of  a  Riding  School 


156 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


garments,  tents,  and  straps. 
In  southern  Russia  the  shep- 
herds clothe  themselves  with 
the  skins  of  wild  ponies.  Cer- 
tain of  the  Tartar  tribes  wear 
nothing  but  horse  skins  so  put 
on  that  the  mane  floats  grace- 
tuily  down  their  backs.  But 
we  need  not  look  so  far  away. 
Many  of  our  own  gloves  and 
shoes  of  "Russia  leather," 
with  their  brilliancy  and  their 
perfume,  were  cut  out  of 
horses'  hides. 

Horse  grease,  or  rather  tal- 
low, is  used  in  great  quantities 
for  lighting  purposes  in  Uru- 
guay, where  thirty  thousand 
place,  has  long  been,  and  is  still,  a  favorite  horses  are  killed  )-early  to  furnish  the  suppl}-. 
drink,  and  from  it  several  preparations,  such  Chinese  ladies  always  keep  a  box  of  horse 
as  koumiss,  are  made,  which  are  noted  for  their      grease  on  their  toilet  tables,  to  use  for  their  hair 

in  place  of  bear's  grease. 

The  bones  of  horses 
serve,  like  those  of  many 
other  animals,  to  make 
soap.  Thus  the  horse,  so 
useful  during  his  lifetime, 
does  not  cease  to  be  so,  in 
other  ways,  after  death. 
The  noble  animal,  favorite 
and  companion  of  our  great 
historic  heroes,  the  helper 
and  support  of  the  laborer, 
A  .Stk.wv  B.\rH  the  link  of  so  manv  of  our 


Interior  of  .a   Ridinc;  School  St.akle 


tonic  properties.  If  we  take 
a  map  and  mark  the  fron- 
tiers within  which  mare's 
milk,  goat's  milk,  camel's 
milk,  and  cow's  milk  are 
drunk,  we  shall  find  that 
the  territory  of  the  con- 
sumers of  mare's  milk  is 
much   the   largest. 

To  peoples  living  in  a 
state  of  nature  the  horse's 
skin  has  always  been  very 
useful    for   the    making   of 


Cow  Ponies  on  a  Nebr.\sk.\  R.anch 


THE   HORSE 


157 


social  relations,  is,  it  is  true,  esteemed  almost 
everywhere  at  his  true  worth  as  a  domestic 
animal  ;  and  yet  he  still  comes  too  often  in 
contact  with  that  instrument  of  temper  and 
tyranny,  the  i^'hip.  It  is  remarkable  that  in 
lands  where  the  horse  lives  nearest  to  his 
master,  in  close  companionship  and  hourly 
service,  the  use  of  whip  and  spur,  sometimes 


of  bit  and  saddle,  is  unknown.  The  nearer  we 
come  to  civilized  nations  the  more  we  find  a 
change.  It  is  in  the  centers  of  civilization,  in 
the  great  cities  of  Europe  and  America,  that 
we  see  drivers  of  drays  and  cabs  lashing  their 
weary,  worn-out,  or  overloaded  horses.  Tliis 
domestic  animal,  at  least,  deserves  better 
treatment. 


IV 
THE  ASS  AND   THE   MULE 


The  ass  is  closely  related  to  the  horse,  as  it 
is  easy  to  see  by  comparing  their  skeletons, 
between  which  there  is  no  essential  difference. 
Their  dental  system  is  also  precisely  the  same. 
Between  the  living  animals,  as  they  appear  to 
our  eves,  the  differences  are  very  perceptible, 


Thk  Wild  Ass 

although  they  can  scarcely  be  very  deep  in 
view  of  the  fact  that  fruitful  mating  is  possible 
between  horse  and  ass. 

The  most  salient  differences  are  in  the  size 
of  the  body,  the  length  of  the  ears,  the  hairs 
of  the  tail  and  mane,  the  situation  of  the 
horny  excrescences  on  the  fore  and  hind  legs 
(probably  the  rudimentary  remains  of  sabots, 
with  which  they  may  have  some  relation,  the 
ancestors  of  the  equine  race  not  having  always 
been  solipedous),  and  finally  the  voice. 


Asses  are  generally  much  smaller  than  horses. 
The  head  is  heavy,  the  lips  thick,  the  ears  long, 
the  tail,  which  is  usually  not  covered  with  long 
hair,  has  a  tuft  at  the  end  like  that  of  cattle  ; 
the  hair  of  the  body  has  a  more  or  less  marked 
tendency  to  be  striped,  and  the  bray  is  easily 

distinguished  from  the  neigh  of 

the  horse. 

I.    The  Wild  Ass 

The  wild  ass  must  be  re- 
garded as  the  ancestor  of  the 
domestic  ass  of  Europe.  He 
inhabits,  in  great  droves,  cen- 
tral Asia,  Tartary,  Afghanistan, 
Baluchistan,  Bokhara,  Persia, 
Arabia,  Syria,  Phrygia,  and  the 
deserts  of  northern  Africa  and 
l^arbary.  These  animals  live  in 
herds,  each  under  the  lead  of 
a  male  ass,  which  migrate  north 
and  east  of  Lake  Aral  in  sum- 
mer, but  never  beyond  48° 
north  latitude,  while  in  winter 
they  come  down  by  hundreds 
and  thousands  into  Persia  and 
sometimes  as  far  as  the  East 
Indies. 

The  ass  is  recorded  as  being 
in   those   countries  in  very 
ancient  times,  as  we  learn  from 
the  oldest  books  in  the  Bible.    He  is  cited  by 
Job  for  his  love  of  freedom  :   "  Who  hath  sent 
out  the  wild  ass  free  ^  or  who  hath  loosed  the 
bands  of  the  wild  ass .?    Whose  house  I  have 
made  the  wilderness,  and  the  barren  land  his 
dwellings.     He  scorneth   the  multitude  of  the 
city,   neither  regardeth   he   the  crying  of   the 
driver.    The  range  of  the  mountains  is  his  pas- 
ture, and  he  searcheth  after  every  green  thing." 
That   description  exactly  characterizes  the 
wild  ass.     He  inhabits  by  preference   regions 


158 


FiL.ni  a  watei  color  by  II.  J.  van  der  Wcele 


THE  ASS  AND   THE  MULE 


159 


where  certain  bitter  herbs  grow,  —  the  moun- 
tain spinach,  the  goosefoot,  the  plantain,  the 
dandelion,  the  thistle,  and  the  witch  grass. 
He  drinks  salt  water  as  well  as  fresh,  and  will 
drink  that  of  the  Caspian  Sea,  but  he  will  not 
drink  muddy  water.  This  proud  inhabitant  of 
the  steppes  is  taller  than  his  domestic  descend- 
ant ;  he  is  active,  solidly  built,  and  fears  no 
fatigue.  His  color  is  silvery  gray,  or  yellowish 
gray,  with  a  coffee-colored  line  down  his  back 
edged  with  white,  often  crossed  on  the  croup 
by  one  and   sometimes   two  transversal  lines. 


The  young  asses,  which  are  fed  on  rice,  oats, 
and  bread,  become  very  strong  and  beautiful 
animals,  and  are  sold  to  the  Persian  merchants 
at  high  prices.  It  is  very  difficult  to  get  a 
shot  at  these  asses  ;  they  are  gifted  with  keen 
eyes  and  ver)-  cjuick  ears. 

The  Mongol  ass  is  another  type  of  the  wild 
ass,  differing  little  from  the  preceding  animal. 
The  Tartars  and  Mongols  call  him  Long  Ears 
in  their  language,  and  on  account  of  his  great 
swiftness  the  Tibetans  dedicate  him  solemnly 
as  a  riding  steed  to  their  gods  of  war  and  fire. 


■■ 

■1 

Mm                                                     ^^BSi'^^^^^^Jr                Qlk 

jk 

mf'^lofi 

jH 

SS^^a 

SiciLi.\N  Donkeys 


His  mane,  several  inches  long,  is  dark  brown, 
soft,  and  woolly,  like  that  of  young  colts,  but 
his  tail  has  only  a  tuft.  His  winter  coat  is  long 
and  fleecy,  like  that  of  a  camel ;  in  summer  it 
is  soft  and  silky,  being  silvery  white  on  the 
belly.  The  legs  are  sometimes  marked  with 
transversal  brown  lines. 

The  Kirghiz,  Tartars,  and  Persians  hunt 
this  animal  and  eat  his  flesh.  Taken  young, 
he  is  easily  and  frequently  tamed.  They  are 
taken  alive  in  ditches  lined  with  grass  and  care- 
fully covered,  into  which  horsemen  drive  them. 


H.    The  Zebr.a 

In  shape  the  zebra  resembles  the  wild  ass, 
except  that  his  rounded  hind  quarters  seem  to 
indicate  a  relationship  with  the  horse.  The 
fundamental  color  of  his  coat  is  white,  the 
head  is  almost  wholly  white,  also  the  lining  of 
the  ears,  but  the  nose  is  a  fine  brown,  and  the 
tip  of  the  tail  black.  Elsewhere  the  body  of 
this  beautiful  animal  is  striped  with  dark  bands. 
He  lives  in  herds  in  the  mountainous  and  sandy 
regions  of  South  Africa  and  southern  Abyssinia. 
He  is  never  found  above  10°  north  latitude. 


i6o 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Though  he  cannot  deny  his  asinine  nature, 
thanks  to  his  obstinacy,  tenacity,  and  occasional 
malignity,  kind  treatment  has  succeeded  more 
than  once  in  subduing  him,  and  also  in  training 


"Orphan  l;ii\,    (;kami  Chamimon  Jack, 
World's  Fair 

him  both  for  riding  and  for  harness.  But  this 
wild  and  self-willed  mountaineer  will  always 
show  temper  if  teased,  a  thing  he  cannot  pos- 
sibly endure. 

The  quagga  is  another  species  of  striped  ass, 
which  bears  still  more  resemblance  to  the  horse. 
Its  fundamental  color  is  yellowish  brown  striped 
with  fewer  bands  than  the  zebra,  and  these 
disappear  on  the  back  and  on  the  croup.  The 
stomach  and  inside  of  the  legs  are  chiefly  white. 
These  animals  formerly  lived  in  herds,  in  com- 
pany with  ostriches,  who  were  quicker  than 
they  in  finding  food  and  perceiving  danger. 
At  the  present  time  the  quagga  may  be  said 
to  have  disappeared,  —  to  have  succumbed  in 
the  struggle  for  existence  against  the  growing 
population  of  South  Africa  and  the  mania  of 
the  Englishman  for  hunting  "  big  game." 

The  Hottentots  gave  him  the  name  of 
quagga  on  account  of  his  cry  (quag-ga,  quag-ga), 
which  differs  as  much  from  the  neighing  of  a 
horse  as  it  does  from  the  braying  of  an  ass. 

III.    The  Domestic  Ass 

The  degenerate  descendant  of  the  proud 
denizens  of  the  steppes,  the  mountains,  and  the 
deserts  is  the  tame  donkey  of  the  north  and 
center  of  Europe,  the  drudge  among  domestic 


animals,  at  whom  every  one  thinks  he  has  a 
right  to  jibe,  granting  him  in  return  a  few 
thistles  and  food  that  all  other  animals  would 
disdain.  One  reason  why  he  is  so  obstinate, 
provoking,  and  phlegmatic  in  this  part  of  the 
world,  and  consecjuently  so  despised,  is  that  he 
suffers  from  our  ccjld,  damp  climate.  He  is 
more  at  his  ease  and  therefore  less  aggravating 
and  less  despised  in  warm,  dry  regions.  He  is 
indispensable  and  is  therefore  valued  through- 
out the  south  of  Europe,  northern  Africa,  Egypt 
especially,  and  Asia  Minor.  In  all  the  countries 
clustering  round  the  Mediterranean  he  shows 
his  good  qualities  and  men  make  much  of  him. 
In  China  and  Persia  a  fine  race  of  asses  is 
raised  e.xclusively  for  riding.  They  are  ridden 
by  the  rich  magnates  on  saddles  embossed 
with  silver  ;  priests  have  the  dignity  and  privi- 
lege of  riding  white  asses.  The  saddle  is  put 
very  far  back,  nearer  to  the  croup  than  to  the 
withers.  Bokhara  is  so  rich  in  df)nkeys  that 
the   streets  are   sometimes   blocked   by   them. 


A  Trained  Zebra 

They  are  of  all  colors,  —  white,  black,  brown, 
tawny,  blue-gray,  etc. 

In  northern  Africa  the  tamed  ass  is  in  gen- 
eral use  as  far  down  as  the  frontiers  of  the 
Soudan.  Eg)'pt,  especially,  has  robust,  hand- 
some, well-made  animals,  with  keen  eyes  and 


THE  ASS   AND   THE  MULE 


l6i 


an  easy  gait,  the  latter  trait  making  them  much 
in  demand  for  riding,  particularly  for  ladies. 
They  are  also  very  suitable  for  pilgrimages 
through  the  desert,  such  as  the  Mohammedan 
pilgrims  make  to  Mecca.  The  handsomest  ani- 
mals are  found  chiefly  in  Upper  Egypt  and  in 
Nubia,  where  they  cost  more  than  horses. 

Formerly  there  were  such  hordes  of  wild 
asses  in  the  Cape  Verde  and  Canary  Islands 
that  they  had  to  be  exterminated  by  hunting. 
In  South  America  they  are  equally  numerous, 
especially  in  Patagonia.  Sardinia  has  an  im- 
mense number  of  very  small  donkeys,  employed 
chiefly  in  grinding  corn  and  in  drawing  water. 
The  "asses  mill,"  mola  asinaria,  was  in  use  in 


for  consumptives.  It  contains  a  great  quan- 
tity of  sugar.  Parmesan  cheese  is  made  of  it. 
The  flesh  of  very  young  asses  is  eaten  in  Italy 
and  in  Spain,  where  it  is  thought  tender  and 
delicious  ;  that  of  the  older  animals  is  tough. 
The  skin  of  an  ass  is  made  into  parchment, 
vellum,  and  shagreen,  and  is  thus  very  valuable. 

IV.    The  Mule 

The  breeding  of  these  animals  is  carried  on 
to  a  great  extent  in  the  south  of  Europe,  in 
America,  and  in  Asia.  The  custom  was  early 
known  ;  it  was  forbidden  among  the  Israelites 
bv  the  laws  of  Moses,  but  in  David's  time 
they  were  certainly  employing  mules,  probably 


On  the  Beach 


southern  Italy  in  very  ancient  times.  In  Sicily 
asses  are  very  numerous  ;  they  are  generally 
small  in  size  and  blue-gray  in  color,  with  longi- 
tudinal and  transversal  stripes  on  the  back. 

Asses  were  first  introduced  into  England 
in  the  days  of  Ethelred,  the  Saxon  king,  and 
again  under  the  reign  of  Henry  III.  The 
English  adopted  the  barbarous  custom  of 
cropping  their  ears,  with  the  idea  that  it  made 
them  more  good-natured,  more  wide-awake, 
and  more  obedient,  the  popular  notion  being 
that  the  animals  were  stupefied  by  receiving 
too  much  sound. 

Asses  have  other  uses  than  for  riding  or  for 
draft  purposes.  Ass's  milk  has  always  been 
considered  extremely  wholesome  and  beneficial 
(though  formerly  more  so  than  to-day),  especially 


imported.  The  Greeks  and  Romans  raised 
them,  and  they  were  even  used  in  the  Olympic 
games. 

This  mongrel  product  is  a  tall,  strong  animal 
corresponding  to  the  horse  in  height  and  in 
the  shape  of  the  neck,  shoulders,  and  body, 
while  the  form  of  his  head,  his  long  ears,  his 
tufted  tail,  and  his  thin,  wiry  legs  and  narrow 
hoofs  are  an  inheritance  from  his  father,  the 
ass.  His  voice  also  has  something  of  the 
paternal  bray,  but  his  coat  resembles  that  of 
the  horse.  In  common  with  the  ass  he  has 
vigor  and  little  tendency  to  disease ;  even 
when  thirty  years  old  he  often  shows  no  signs 
of  age.  He  is  trained  when  about  two  and  a 
half  or  three  years  old,  and  at  five  he  can  be 
used    for    the    heaviest    labor.     These    useful 


A  Pair  of  Young  Mules 


\\  iini:   UdXKicvs 


THE  ASS  AND   THE   MULE 


163 


animals  are  indispensable  in  mountainous  coun- 
tries for  the  transportation  of  merchandise. 
Their  footing  is  firm  and  sure,  and  they  can 
carry  a  load  of  five  hundred  pounds  for  weeks 
over  trackless  regions.  They  are  also  excel- 
lent riding  animals  and  are  still  much  used  for 
private  carriages  in  many  of  the  southern  coun- 
tries of  Europe  ;  they  are  also  used  for  artillery 
wagons.  In  America  the  mule  is  indispensable 
in  the  sugar  and  cotton  fields  of  the  South. 

The  production  of  mules  is  constant  in  Spain. 
The  government  has  endeavored  to  put  a  stop 
to  it,  in  favor  of  raising  horses,  but  without 


or  zebroids.  Later  several  mares  were  mated 
with  the  same  zebra  stallion  and  many  foals 
were   obtained,   the  chief  among    them    being 


A    Zl-.HKULE 

appreciable  results.  Ciudad  Real  was  formerly 
the  great  market  place  for  mules,  ten  thousand 
being  often  for  sale  there,  bringing  high  prices. 
At  three  years  of  age  they  are  usually  worth 
from  eight  hundred  to  nine  hundred  francs 
($160  to  $180).  The  finest  and  handsomest 
bring  from  twelve  hundred  to  eighteen  hundred 
francs  ($240  to  $360).  Mules  are  usually  sterile, 
though  they  ha\-e  been  known  to  have  offspring, 
but  the  latter  have  no  vitality  and  die  young. 

V.    The  Zebrule,  or  Zebroid 

Lately  a  Scotch  naturalist,  J.  C.  Ewarts, 
who  has  made  himself  a  name  in  this  domain, 
mated  a  zebra  stallion,  named  Matopes,  with  a 
mare  from  one  of  the  Scotch  islands.  The 
product  was  a  foal  which  received  the  name 
of  Romulus,  the  new  race  being  called  zebrules. 


A     I)11XK1.\ 

Sir  John,  a  colt,  and  the  fillies  Bunda  and 
Black  Agnes,  which  were  both  sold  to  Ham- 
burg ;  the  English  government  then  bought 
them  and  sent  them  to  India,  where  they  were 
trained  for  service  in  a  moimtain  battery.  In 
shape   the  zebroids   are  a  cross   between    the 


"  Kii.MlI.l  : 


A   C  Ll,i.l-.ic.\  1  M>   /.i-i;iu  l-l'. 


horse  and  the  zebra.  Romulus,  born  in  i8g6, 
derived  from  his  father  only  very  indistinct 
stripes,  while  Sir  John  has  them  more  clearly 
defined.  These  zebroids  are  strong,  manage- 
able, and  easy  to  train  both  for  saddle  and 
harness  ;  it  is  hoped  that  they  have  inherited 
the  zebra's  immunity  from  equine  diseases. 


V 

THE   SHEEP 


I.  General  Considerations  and  Qualities 
Common  to  the  Species 

One  of  the  most  ancient,  if  not  the  most 
ancient,  of  domestic  animals  is  the  sheep.  It 
is  the  first  mentioned  in  the  Bible.  Abel  was 
a  shepherd,  which  proves  that  the  earliest 
known  men  followed  that  calling  side  by  side 


master  bade  him,  and  been  protected  as  much 
as  possible  against  all  dangers,  he  has  become 
stupid  and  dreamy  ;  his  senses  have  lost  their 
acuteness.  The  vigilance  and  perspicacity 
shown  by  certain  wild  sheep  still  existing  have 
given  place,  in  the  domestic  animal,  to  a  meek- 
ness and  docility  that  are  now  proverbial. 


A  Dutch  -Shmep  FarjM 


with  tillage  of  the  soil.  In  the  beginning  this 
animal  certainly  could  not  have  been  found  in 
a  tame  state ;  consecjuently  our  present  wool 
and  mutton  sheep  must  have  come  from  a  wild 
ancestry.  But  all  that  is  lost  in  the  night  of 
time.  He  has  now  become,  in  his  domestic 
state,  so  entirely  dependent  on  man  that  he 
could  not  exist  without  him.  Having  always 
yielded  to  his  master's  will,  gone  where  that 


Sheep  are  very  easily  acclimated,  so  that 
we  find  them  in  the  coldest  climates,  and  also 
in  the  hottest.  They  bear  the  cold  of  Siberia, 
Kamchatka,  and  our  western  plains  as  well  as 
the  heat  of  Senegal,  the  Indies,  and  Australia, 
which,  however,  does  not  prevent  them  from 
preferring  a  temperate  climate  and  thriving  in 
it.  They  can  bear  a  dry  cold  better  than  much 
humidity. 


164 


•luiu  .1  |i.iinting  l)y  K.  I'.  Ifv  Mfulen 


THE   SHEEP 


i6s 


As  for  food,  they  prefer  the  short, 
fine  grasses,  nourishing  and  aromatic, 
which  grow  on  dry,  calcareous  moun- 
tain slopes  and  rolling  hillsides,  not, 
however,  disdaining  those  that  grow 
in  saline  places,  for  they  love  salt, 
like  the  goat,  the  deer,  the  ass,  and 
the  horse.  All  sheep,  but  especially 
young  lambs,  like  to  climb  the  accliv- 
ities that  they  see  about  them.  Their 
skill  in  this  direction  they  have  doubt- 
less derived  from  their  ancestors,  the 
wild  mountain  sheep.  They  have 
never  had,  however,  the  agility  of 
goats,  which  are  native  born  to  moun- 
tains and  rocks. 

The  sheep  is  so  closely  related  to 
the  goat  that  there  is  very  little  dif- 
ference in  the  skeletons  of  the  two 
species,  and  what  there  is  lies  chiefly  in  the 
hollow  profile  of  the  face  of  the  goat  and  the 
rounded  profile  of  the  sheep.  In  other  respects, 
the  sheep  is  unlike  the  goat  in  temperament, 
in  character,  in  coat,  in  the  shape  of  its  horns, 
and  in   its  peculiar  odor,  which  differs  in  all 


A  MorFLf)N  Ram 


Mn,KiN(,  A  .Siii;i:i' 

animals.  The  docility  and  stupidity  of  the  sheep 
are  as  unlike  the  savage  temper,  vivacity,  and 
obstinacy  of  the  goat  as  its  crinkled  wool  is 
unlike  the  latter's  wavine  hair. 


II.    Origin 

There  are  different  opinions  regarding 
the  origin  of  the  sheep,  some  naturalists 
giving  them  for  ancestor  the  mouflon  of 
Armenia  and  Persia,  others  the  argali  of 
Siberia  and  central  Asia,  while  some  again 
discover  their  forerunners  in  the  Oural 
sheep  of  the  Himalayas,  in  the  Buhel  or 
blue  sheep  of  the  plains  of  central  Asia, 
or  in  the  bighorns  of  Kamchatka  and  Alaska 
and  the  Rocky  Mountains  of  America. 

The  argalis  are  the  largest  of  all  wild 
sheep,  attaining  sometimes  to  a  height  of 
three  and  a  half  feet.  They  inhabit  the 
rocky  slopes  of  southern  Siberia  and  north- 
ern Mongolia  and  have  much  in  common 
with  the  bighorn.  A  smaller  species  in- 
habits the  plateau  of  Tibet,  descending  to 
the  plains  in  winter.  Very  large  and  heavy 
argalis  are  found  on  the  plateau  of  Pamir, 
over  eighteen  hundred  feet  above  sea  level. 

The  mouflon  lives  in  the  mountains  of 
Persia  and  Armenia  and  on  the  islands 
of  Cyprus,  Sardinia,  and  Corsica ;  formerly 


1 66 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


he  existed  in  Spain,  and,  according  to  Plin_\',  in 
the  vicinity  of  Mentone.  Mouflons  Hve  in  herds, 
each  under  the  control  of  a  ram.  In  the  mating 
season  fierce  tiL;!ns  take  [ilace  in  which  they  kill 


A  CoTswoLH  Raji 
Photo  J.  T.  Newman,  nerkhaiiipstead 

each  other.  By  nature  they  are  timid  and  flee 
at  the  slightest  noise,  which  they  hear  at  a  very 
great  distance.  They  spring  among  the  most 
inaccessible  rocks  with  extraordinary  lightness 
and  agilit)-,  and  allow  no  precipice  to  arrest 
their  flight  until  they  feel  themselves  absolutely 
out  of  danger.  The  rams  have  huge  almost  cir- 
cular horns  ;  the  ewes  have  none.  Their  hair 
is  very  smooth,  short,  and  reddish  brown  in 
color,  but  in  winter  it  is  mixed  with  wool. 

The  mating  of  the  European  mouffons  with 
ewes  presents  no  difficulty.  Breeders  have 
always  obtained  fruitful  descendants,  which 
seems  to  prove  indubitabh'  that  the  mouflon 
is  the  true  ancestor  of  our  domestic  sheep. 

III.    The  Domestic  Sheep 

The  difference  between  the  domestic  sheep 
and  the  wild  sheep  is  not  more  pronounced 
than  that  between  the  sheep  and  the  goat. 
Many  are  the  varieties  scattered  over  the  globe. 
For  instance,  the  Somali  breed  of  Africa  is  a 
race  of  white  sheep  with  very  large  black  heads, 


pendent  ears,  and  a  thick  fat  tail ;  they  give  no 
wool  fit  to  weave. 

The  fat-iailcd  sheep  is  a  singular  freak  of 
nature  in  the  enormous  development  of  its  tail. 
It  is  found  in  Egypt  and  throughout 
Africa,  also  in  S)'ria  and  Arabia.  It 
has  hanging  ears,  a  very  stupid  air, 
and  is  sometimes  without  horns.  Its 
coat  is  halfway  between  fur  and  wool ; 
on  the  neck  and  breast  it  has  long 
hair  like  the  manes  found  on  wild 
sheep.  The  color  is  a  dirty  white. 
Its  tail  reaches  to  the  ground  and  is 
of  enormous  size,  especially  in  the 
African  breeds.  The  fat  and  also 
the  flesh  of  these  animals  are  con- 
sidered dainties. 

The  fat-Iiaunclied  slieep  resemble 

the  preceding  with  this  difference, 

that  the  accumulation  of  fat  is  on  the 

haunches  and  spreads  only  partially 

to  the  tail.    This  variety  is  met  with 

in   Persia,  Tartary,  and  in  parts  of 

Africa. 

The  Wallacliiaii  sheep  inhabits  the  southeast 

of   Europe  and  the  west  of  Asia.    It  is  found 

especially  in  Wallachia,  Greece,  and  the  island 

of  Crete.     It  has  a  fine  shape,  and  the  coat,  a 

mixture  of  hair  and  soft  down,  is  thick  and  very 


Persi.ax  Fat-Tailed  Sheet 
AXD  Lamb 


Ram,  Ewe, 


long.  This  animal  makes  a  beautiful  transition 
between  goats  with  long  hair  and  sheep  with 
wool.  The  head  and  lower  legs  are  very  dark, 
the   former    being    adorned    with    magnificent 


1 68 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


spiral  horns  which  lean  to  one  side  in  the  sheep  the  heath  or  moors  of  northern  Germany,  Den- 
of  Wallachia  and  stand  erect  in  those  of  Crete,  mark,  Russia,  the  Low  Countries,  and  parts  of 
These  animals  bear  weather  of  all  kinds,  being  England.  It  is  not  at  all  exactmg,  and  lives 
kept  on  the  mountams  m  summer  and  brought      prmcipally  on  the  gorse  and  heather  produced 

by  those  arid  regions.  The 
laborers  raise  these  sheep  for 
their  coarse  wool,  and  for 
manure  with  which  to  fertilize 
their  barren  and  stony  soil. 
The  flesh  is  considered  very 
savory  and  recalls  the  taste  of 
\-enison  ;  it  contains  little  fat 
and  has  a  peculiar  gamy  flavor, 
impossible  to  define,  which  is 
possessed  by  the  flesh  of  no 
other  sheep. 

This  moorland  animal  re- 
calls in  his  exterior  the  wild 
sheep,  his  ancestors.  The 
ram's  horns  resemble  those  of 
the  argali,  but  the  spirals  are 
smaller  and  oftener  repeated, 
the  head  is  finely  formed,  the 
eye  alert  and  intelligent,  the  legs  very  slender 
and  well  made.    The  color  of  the  coat,  the  hair 


CHK\-I0T    1-U  i.-,    i    11^-1     IJL.ALU\ 
Photo  J.  T.  Newman,  iierkhanipstead 

down  to  the  plains  in  winter.  Besides  milk  and 
meat,  each  animal  can  supply  from  four  to  six 
pounds  of  wool,  which  is  much  in  demand  for 


of  which  is  short  about  the  head  and  legs,  is 

the  manufacture  of  stockings  and  other  coarse      brownish  black,  brown,  reddish  brown,  tawny, 
woolen  articles.  spotted  or  speckled,  or  white.     All   moorland 

The  silvcy-haircd  sliccp  is  found  in  the  south      sheep,  however,  do  not  correspond  to  the  type 
of    Africa.    Blankets    are    made    of    its    wool,      above   described.     Some  have   no  horns,  and 
None  of  these  sheep  have   been 
brought    to   our   country 
except  as  curiosities 
for  agricultural   pur 
poses    they   could 
not   compete   with 
our   present   im- 
proved  breeds. 


IV. 


M00RL.\ND 

Sheep 

The  sheep  of  the  moors 

of  northern  Europe  have  Ion 

coats  of  mixed  wool  and  hair.    They 

,  ,,       ,  A  \Vallachi.\n  Ram 

are  coarser  and  more  cowardly  than 

those  of  Wallachia.     Their  wool  is  used  only 

for  the  commonest  stockings  and  other  equally      type   the   moorland   sheep   of  the   province  of 

coarse  woolen  textures.     This  sheep  inhabits      Drent  in  the   Low  Countries. 


others    have    the    nose    strongly 

curved  ;    they    are    mostly 

small  and  active.     The 

tail   is    usually   very 

long. 

Though    these 

sheep  are  by  nature 

wild   and   shy  and 

prefer  a  free  life  on 

the  moors,  they  soon 

accustom    themselves 

domestic  surroundings 

and  will  return  every  evening 

faithfully  of  their  own  accord.    It  is 

instructive   to  watch   the   habits  of 

these  interesting  animals  ;   let  us  choose  as  a 


THE   SHEEP  169 

In  this  province  sheep  are  kept  in  flocks,  the   shepherd,    who,   as   they   reach   the  open 

varying  in  number  from  a  hundred  to  a  thou-  country,  points  out  to  his  dog  the  direction  he 

sand.    In  the  peat  districts  there  are  flocks  of  wishes  taken.   When  the  pasture  is  reached  the 

sometimes   not   more   than   twenty,  which   are  flock  disperses  among  the  gorse  and  heather. 


Wvo.MiNG  Shepherd  .ami  his  Outfit 


watched  by  a  boy.  The  great  flocks  are  in 
charge  of  a  shepherd  assisted  by  his  dog,  and 
by  a  helper  if  the  sheep  are  very  numerous. 
Usually  a  large  flock  belongs  to  different  own- 
ers living  in  the  same  village  and  having  a 
common  right  of  pasture  on  the  moorland. 

In  the  morning,  when  the  time  comes  to  lead 
the  flock  to  the  fields,  the  shepherd  blows  his 


and  the  shepherd  sits  down  (still  watching  his 
sheep)  to  his  daily  avocation,  which  consists  in 
knitting  coarse  woolen  socks.  Besides  his  knit- 
ting, the  shepherd  carries  a  long  crook  with  a 
tiny  scoop  at  the  end,  with  which  he  flings  little 
pellets  of  earth  at  the  sheep  that  may  chance  to 
stray  from  the  main  body,  in  order  to  recall  them . 
The  shepherd  has  also  a  fine  horn  box  adorned 


Sheep  Ranching  Scene  in  Albekt.\,-C.an.au.a 

horn,  the  owners  open  the  doors  of  their  sheep-  with  brass  nails  and  filled  with  an  ointment  for 

cots,  and   the  different   little  flocks  rush  out  the  scab,  a  disease  that  attacks  the  moorland 

and  form  themselves  into  a  great  flock,  cross-  sheep  sooner  than  others.    This  box  hangs  at 

ing  the  village  slowly  under  the  guidance  of  his  waist.    When  the  shepherd  knits  he  sticks 


I/O 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


VlAiV     I'lSI:    Cnh\luT     Ka.\1 

Pliotn  J.  T.  Xewman,  Berkhanipstead 

the  ends  (if  his  knitting  needles  into  his  waist- 
band, like  an  old  Englishwoman.  The  shep- 
herd's costume  admits  of  all  imaginable  variety, 
but  is  never  in  the  latest  fashion.  Over  his  or- 
dinary clothes  he  invariably  wears  a  cloak  in  case 
of  rain,  though  some,  more  effeminate,  carry  an 
umbrella  slung  obliquely  across  their  backs. 

Nearly  all  the  sheep  have 
bells  or  rattles  fastened  around 
their  necks  by  a  leather  strap. 
The  monotonous  tinkling  of 
these  bells  produces,  especially 
at  starting  and  in  returning,  a 
very  pleasant  sound,  percepti- 
ble at  great  distances  over  the 
moor,  so  that  one  often  hears 
them  when  no  sheep  are  in  the 
neighborhood. 

The  dog  may  belong  to  all 
possible  breeds  e.xcept  —  I  was 
about  to  say  —  the  shepherd 
dog,  but  that  may  be  going  too 
far.  It  is  usually  some  mongrel 
of  medium  size  ;  sometimes, 
though  rarely,  it  has  more  or 
less  the  type  of  the  shepherd 
dog.  These  animals  are  usually 
wide-awake,  docile,  and  inde- 
fatigable.    They    understand 


every  sign  of  their  master,  and 
at  times  they  seem  to  know 
by  intuition  when  a  sheep  is 
wandering  from  the  right  way. 
They  can  be  troublesome, 
ho\ve\'er,  by  their  occasional 
rough  treatment  of  the  ewes. 
Sometimes  they  will  bite  them 
so  sharply  on  the  legs  that  it 
causes  the  poor  creatures  to 
bleed,  and  they  rush  away  on 
three  feet.  To  avoid  this  some 
shepherds  muzzle  their  dogs. 
In  the  evening  w-hen  the 
flock  returns  slowly  to  the  vil- 
lage, its  coming  is  announced 
not  only  b\'  the  distant  tink- 
ling of  the  bells,  but  also  by 
the  clouds  of  dust  seen  from 
afar,  which  it  scuffles  up.  When  it  reaches  the 
village  it  is  really  amazing  to  see  the  various  por- 
tions of  the  large  flock  detach  themselves  and 
make  for  their  ow-n  sheepcots  without  a  word  or 
sign  from  the  shepherd.  Every  sheep  knows  its 
own  home  unless  it  is  newly  bought.  When  all 
are  housed  the  shepherd's  daily  work  is  ended. 


Oxford  Down  Ram 

Photo  J.  T.  N'ewni.in.  r.erklian-.pste.id 


A     .\ic  JliMN(.     \'\  ALK 

Photo  G.  Jockmann,  Utrecht 


172 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Besides  watching  his  sheep  in  the  open 
country,  the  shepherd  has  to  contend  con- 
tinually against  the  scab  and  other  ailments, 
filling  as  he  does  the  triple  office  of  mid- 
wife, physician,  and  surgeon.  The  recipe  of 
his  particular  ointment  for  the  scab  is  often  a 
family  secret  handed  down  from  father  to  son. 
He  applies  it  at  fixed  times  and  in  a  certain 
way.     He  parts  the  wool  from  the  neck  to  the 


The  shepherd  is  also  the  meteorologist  of 
the  village,  and  sometimes  its  seer ;  in  fact,  he 
practices  various  sciences  that  border  on  the 
miraculous.  For  these  many  services  he  re- 
ceives a  trifling  salary,  which  is  usually  paid 
"  in  kind."  For  instance,  he  may  pasture  a 
certain  number  of  his  own  sheep  ;  or  he  may 
keep  the  whole  flock  for  a  certain  number 
of   nights  on  his  own  arable  land  in  order  to 


A   i  RIO  in    uxiiiRO  LiowN   L  iiA.\u'ic)NS  ON   hxini'.rnox 

Photo  J.  T.  Newnmn,  Beikhampstead 


tail  and  rubs  his  ointment  down  the  narrow 
line  of  skin  thus  exposed.  Then  he  makes 
another  part  across  and  down  each  shoulder, 
so  that  the  ointment  is  applied  to  the  skin  in 
the  form  of  a  cross.  Constant  application  of 
the  remedy  by  this  method  suffices  to  keep  the 
disease  within  certain  limits.  The  shepherd 
will  not  listen  to  talk  of  a  complete  cure,  simply 
because  he  does  not  believe  it  possible.  This 
is  one  of  the  numerous  examples  which  prove 
with  what  strength  some  ideas  are  anchored  in 
the  minds  of  such  persons. 


manure  it;  or  he  may  take  part  of  his  meals  with 
the  various  owners  of  the  flock  in  turn,  those 
who  own  many  sheep  feeding  him  for  a  greater 
number  of  days  than  those  who  have  few.  His 
food  is  composed  chiefly  of  extremely  thick 
and  very  greasy  pancakes.  Another  part  of  his 
salary  comes  from  an  obligation  on  the  part  of 
those  peasants  of  the  village  who  own  horses, 
they  agreeing  to  till  his  field  and  gather  his 
fruit.  Lastly,  he  receives  a  little  peat,  some 
rye,  and  some  other  comestibles,  together  with 
a  very  little  money. 


THE   SHEEP 


173 


The  shearing  of  the  sheep  is  done  by  the 
owners  themselves  assisted  by  their  servants. 
That  of  the  whole  district  takes  place,  if  pos- 
sible, simultaneously,  so  that  as  little 
time  as  possible  is  taken.  It  is  done 
with  such  awkwardness  that  the 
sheep  are  sometimes  half  skinned 
by  inexperienced  shearers.  The  poor 
creatures  then  have  a  most  repulsive 
appearance,  in  consequence  of  the 
lack  of  cleanliness  in  the  inhabitants 
of  those  regions,  never  more  clearly 
revealed  than  during  the  shearing 
operation.  The  manipulation  of  the 
wool  is  also  filthy.  Part  is  sold,  and 
another  part  is  sent  to  the  small  spin- 
ning mills,  whence  the  owner  receives 
it  back  in  the  form  of  worsted  for 
knitting,  woolen  aprons,  or  stuffs  to 
be  made  into  coarse  woolen  garments. 
A  small  part  of  the  fleece  is  kept  by 
the  owners ;  it  is  washed  and  hung 
on  trees  or  hedges  to  dry  and  bleach. 
Then  the  mother  brings  out  an 
ancient  spinning  wheel  and  spins  her 
own  yarn.  This  is  the  ordinary  worsted  with 
which  the  shepherd  knits  his  socks. 

Before  the  shearing  the  sheep  are  w^ashed, 
the  washing  being  done  in  common  by  the 
owners  and  their  servants,  assisted  by  all  the  vil- 
lage youth.    The  young  men  stand  in  the  water 


and  pass  the  sheep  from  hand  to  hand,  which 
causes  the  animals  to  receive  a  mud  bath,  the 
benefit  of  which  is  very  problematical.    This 


SHROPSIURF.    R.AMS 
Photo  J.  T.  Newman,  Berkhampstead 


H.K.Mi-siiiKi;   Down  R.am 
Photo  J.  T.  Newman,  Berkhampstead 

"washing  day"  is  kept  as  a  fete  day,  on  which 
the  inhabitants  take  baths  that  are  not  merely 
external. 

The  manure  of  the  sheep  is  left  for  a  whole 
year  to  pile  up  in  the  sheepcots,  where  it 
forms  the  litter  of  the  animals.  It  is  only 
taken  out  once  a  year,  in  the 
spring.  As  the  moorland 
sheep  are  especially  useful  for 
their  manure,  the  territory 
they  occupy  is  slowly  but 
surely  diminishing,  since  a 
more  intelligent  system  of 
farming  is  developing,  and 
artificial  fertilizers  are  found 
tc)  work  as  well  as  sheep 
manure. 

V.   English  Sheep  for 
Butchering 

English  sheep  are  in  direct 
iip]5osition  to  moorland  sheep 
in  their  chief   qualities, 


174 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


A  Rare  Species  of  the  Shropshire  Breed 

Photo  J.  T.  Newman.  Berkhampstead 


although,  Hke  them,  they  inhabit  the  plains  and 
hillsides  of  a  great  part  of  Europe  and  America. 
There  is  a  great  difference,  however,  in  the 
character  of  those  plains  ;   the  moorland  sheep 


.      live  on  sandy  soil,  while  the 

.  V  ^M  English-bred  sheep  are  the 
^  ^M  product  of  a  rich,  loamy, 
^K^^l  calcareous  land.  England  is 
^^^H  esjiecialh-  fitted  for  the  forma- 
^^^H  tion  of  such  a  race,  partly  by 
^^^B  reason  of  its  soft  and  temper- 
^^^H  ate  climate,  and  partly  because 
Bum  of  its  many  beautiful  and  fer- 
tile meadows  and  the  rolling 
"  downs "  of  the  south  and 
east ;  and  also,  and  above  all, 
b\-  reason  of  the  practical  good 
sense  that  characterizes  the 
Englishman  in  general  and  the 
English  breeder  in  particular. 
The  history  of  these  sheep 
does  not  date  back  very  far. 
It  was  not  until  the  second 
half  of  the  eighteenth  century 
that  their  e.xcellent  qualities  came  to  be  gener- 
ally known,  thanks  to  a  breeder  named  Bake- 
well,  who  died  in  1799.  Bakewell  lived  in 
Leicestershire,  where  the  soil  and  climate  had 


:.-^r>.v.-?.twiBii«<«aMaim<^r!:^v>-i«rts3!^ 
The  Shower  B.\th 


THE   SHEEP 


175 


Sheep  Baths 


long  produced  a  stout  sheep  suitable  for  butcher- 
ing.    A  neighboring  breed,  the  Herefordshire, 
was  also  stoutly  and  heavily  made,  with  a  large 
head  and   strong,  bony  structure  ;  but  it  was 
chiefly  valued  for  its  wool,  which  was  of  excel- 
lent quality.    Now  the  stomach  of  London  de- 
manded meat,  more  meat,  always  meat.    The 
Englishman  is  beyond  dispute  the  greatest 
meat  eater  in  the  civilized  world,  while  at  the 
same  time  he  is  a  daint_\-  goiinnct.    To  do  him 
justice,  he  never  hesitates  to  pay  the  price 
of  his  meat,  which  is  naturally  an  encourage- 
ment to  the  breeder.    Bakewell  saw  his  op- 
portunity and  was  equal  to  the  task.      He 
created  the  new  Leicester  breed  (sometimes 
called    the    Dishley)    from    mating    the  old 
Leicestershire  race  with  the  Herefordshire, 
Lincoln,  and  Teeswater  races. 

The  Teeswater  sheep  is  the  product  of 
very  rich  pastures  lying  along  the  two  banks 
of  the  river  Tees.  For  a  long  time  it  was 
one  of  the  best  known  species.    At  two  years 


of  age  the  animal  often  supplied  two  hundred 
pounds  of  butcher's  meat.  Towards  Christmas 
of  the  year  1797  a  ram  of  this  race  was  slaugh- 
tered at  Darlington-on-Tees,  the  four  quarters 
of  which  weighed  two  hundred  and  forty-nine 
pounds,  with  seventeen  additional  pounds  of  fat. 


Ram  of  Old  Leicester  Breed 


176 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


This  race  is  also  very  fruitful,  the  ewes  giving  a  sure  and  invaluable  means,  provided  it  is  done 
birth  to  two  and  sometimes  three  lambs  annually,  with  perfectly  healthy  animals  possessing  great 
In  this,  however,  it  yielded  to  Bakewell's  new  \-itality.  This  was  the  case  with  the  solid  and 
breed,  which  it  had  materially  assisted  to  form,  bony  sheep  that  Bakewell  made  use  of.  Prop- 
agation between  members  of 
the  same  family,  if  pushed  too 
far,  has  its  evil  side  in  too  great 
refining,  leading  to  deteriora- 
tion,—  a  rock  on  which  the 
new  Leicester  breed  has  split, 
more  or  less,  for  its  reputa- 
tion is  not  as  widely  extended 
now  as  it  was  a  century  ago. 
Bakewell's  breed,  produced 
as  we  have  stated,  was  all 
pure  white  in  body,  head,  and 
legs,  and  was  without  horns. 
Its  head  was  long  and  slim, 
the  neck  short,  enlarging 
conically  toward  the  base, 
chest  broad,  shoulders  and 
sides  plump,  back  flat,  loins 
broad,  and  the  bones  very 
small  and  delicate.  Fattening 
these  sheep  gave  them  an  al- 
The  old  Lincolnshire  race  was  very  coarse,  most  conical  shape,  the  base  of  the  cone  being 
very  bony,  very  sluggish,  and  was  not  fit  to  at  the  breast  and  the  truncated  point  at  the 
kill  until  it  was  three  years  old,  by  which  time  hind  parts.  The  skin  was  very  delicate,  the  tail 
its  meat  was  tough  and  not  succulent,  — little  small,  and  the  wool  moderately  long,  but  always 
to  the   taste  of  the   English  gourmet. 

Bakewell's  new  Leicester  breed,  which 
is  the  product  of  very  careful  selection  and 
mating,  has  by  degrees  superseded  the  fore- 
going. He  and  other  well-known  British 
breeders  have  not  hesitated  to  propagate 
among  animals  of  the  same  family  when 
they  thought  it  wise  to  do  so.  They  started 
with  the  true  idea  that  in  the  hands  of  skill- 
ful breeders,  animals  are  as  malleable  as 
dough.  They  believed  that  by  laying  down 
fixed  rules  to  a  fixed  end,  and  by  regulating 
food  and  regimen  efficaciously,  they  could 
transform  breeds,  especially  those  of  sheep, 
as  they  pleased. 

To  obtain  rapidly  a  relatively  large  num- 
ber of  animals  having  the  same  qualities  (to 

serveasthebasisof  greater  numbers  still),  prop-      inferior  in  quality  to  that  of  the  old  Hereford- 
agation  between  members  of  the  same  family  is     shire  breed.    But  for  butcher's  meat  this  new 


ReAHV     in    .SlAUT    FOU    Till;    P.XRIS    Ex  IIIUITK  iN 

The  tuft  on  shoulder  shows  length  of  wool 

Plioti)  J.  T.  NewnKin.  Berklianipstead 


A  Leicester  R,\m 

Photo  J.  T.  Newman,  Berkliampstead 


THE   SHEEP 


177 


Leicester  breed  carried  the  day.  Comparing 
a  loin  of  it  with  that  of  a  coarse  Norfolk  sheep, 
we   found   the   latter  nearly   twice  as   fat  and 


•^w> 


A  Suffolk  Ram 

heavy,  while  the  former  was  covered  with  three 
times  the  amount  of  meat,  —  a  matter  to  which 
the  lover  of  mutton  chops  is  not  indifferent. 
Marshall,  who  wrote  upon  this  subject  at  the 
close  of  the  eighteenth  century, 
speaks  of  sheep  which  were  so  fat, 
when  two  years  and  a  half  old, 
that  they  could  scarcely  walk.  At 
Litchfield  he  saw  a  fore  quarter 
with  four  inches  of  fat  on  the  loins, 
and  later  he  saw  some  with  five  and 
six  inches  of  fat. 

This  excessive  fattening  acts  upon 
the  flesh,  which  becomes  impreg- 
nated with  it,  while  the  sinewy  tis- 
sue diminishes.  Thus  a  piece  of  the 
loin  with  the  kidney,  weighing, 
Marshall  says,  twenty-si.\  pounds, 
had  only  two  and  a  half  pounds  of 
meat.  One  must  have  the  English 
taste,  or  else  acquire  it,  to  think  such 
meat  good  ;  but  it  is  certain  that 
mutton  cannot  be  too  fat  for  an 
Englishman.  To  a  man  of  small 
means  mutton  fat,  which  can  take  the  place  of 
lard,  has  its  advantages. 

Bakewell's   success    soon   became   generally 
known  in  England,  and  he  cleverly  made  the 


most  of  his  fame.  He  had  numerous  applica- 
tions for  information  and  assistance  ;  and  in 
October  of  every  year  a  general  sale  was  held 
at  Leicester,  to  which  breeders  came  from 
far  and  near  to  buy  rams  or  to  hire  them. 
The  chief  breeders  raised  annually  from 
twenty  to  forty  young  rams,  which  they 
leased  to  the  small  breeders  at  a  price  de- 
termined by  the  genealogy  and  pure  blood 
of  the  animals.  Nothing  was  spared  for  the 
proper  bringing  up  and  well-being  of  these 
sheep.  In  winter  they  were  well  housed 
and  plentifully  supplied  with  oats,  cabbage, 
and  turnips,  and  in  the  spring  the  first 
clover  was   theirs. 

After  a  time  the  too  great  refining  away 
of  the  Leicester  race  injured  its  reputation, 
and  breeders   began   to   cross   it   with   the 
coarser   and   stronger   Lincolnshire   breed. 
Thence    has    come    the    present    Lincoln 
breed,  which  resembles  the  Leicester  in  all  its 
good  qualities,  but  has  a  stronger  bone  struc- 
ture, is  more  robust,  and  is  better  able  to  resist 
the  influences  of  weather.     The  race  has  many 


A  Lincoln   Ram 
Photo  J.  T.  Newman,  Berkhampstead 

subvarieties,  which  are  all,  in  general,  strong 
and  well  formed,  bearing  long  fleeces  of  good 
quality.  Sometimes  a  band  of  the  fleece  is  left 
on  the  animal's  shoulder  when  sheared,  to  show 


178 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


the  natural  length  of  the  wool.  Rams  of  this 
Lincoln  race  are  sometimes  sold  in  England  for 
as  much  as  five  thousand  dollars,  but  never  as 
yet  have  they  reached  that  price  in  this  country-. 

The  Cotswold  breed,  originating  in  the  moun- 
tainous regions  of  that  name,  resembles  in  man)- 
ways  the  two  preceding  races,  but  it  is  not  so 
stout  and  its  legs  are  longer,  giving  it  a  more 
active  and  lively  appearance.  It  is  also  distin- 
guished by  the  handsome  tuft  on  its  forehead. 

The  Long-wool  Devon  breed  is  also  a  part 
of  this  group  ;   it  is  hea\-y,  with  long  legs,  and 


Leicester,  Lincoln,  and  Cotswold  breeds  have 
been  imported  to  the  United  States  for  a  great 
man\-  years,  and  now  we  ha\-e  many  prosperous 
flocks  scattered  throughout  the  country.  They 
are  bred  for  both  wool  and  mutton,  although 
the  latter  cjuality  is  paramount. 

These  breeds  recjuire  abundant  pasture,  else 
the  best  results  will  not  be  obtained,  since  the 
animals  are  large  and  heavy  eaters.  It  is  owing 
to  this  fact  more  than  to  all  others  that  these 
breeds  have  not  gained  any  extended  popu- 
laril)'  with  us.    The  Merino  and  Down  breeds, 


A    F.A.MILV    OF    EXMOOR    SlUlEP 


produces  much  meat  and  fat,  besides,  as  its 
name  implies,  a  good  supply  of  wool. 

The  Kent,  or  Romney  Marsh,  sheep  is  a 
product  of  the  plains  of  Kent,  and  by  its  con- 
formation and  habits  shows  marked  traces  of 
the  region  in  which  it  lives.  It  likes  good  liv- 
ing, but  its  bald  head  and  stupid,  good-natured 
air  convey  an  impression  that  is  not  altogether 
favorable.  This  breed  has  not  been  favorably 
received  by  American  breeders,  although  at 
one  time  it  was  valued  very  highly  in  England. 

In  Ireland  they  raise  sheep  of  this  same 
group,  with  white  heads,  long  wool,  and  no 
horns.  Those  named  the  Roscommon  breed 
testify  to  the  judgment  of   Irish  breeders. 


recjuiring  less  food  and  at  the  same  time  carry- 
ins  s:ood  profits,  have  the  first  hold  on  American 
breeders  and  feeders. 

The  Cheviot  breed,  which  ends  the  series  of 
this  group,  originated  in  the  hilly  country  on 
the  frontiers  of  England  and  Scotland,  and  is  a 
charming  type  constant!)-  growing  in  popularity 
in  our  country.  The  name  "  Cheviot,"  applied 
to  a  fabric,  sufficiently  shows  the  value  attached 
to  the  wool  of  this  breed.  Owing  to  the  shape 
of  its  head,  neck,  and  ears  it  forms  a  group 
apart.  The  head  is  bald  and  carried  so  low  as 
to  seem  sunk  below  the  level  of  its  back,  but 
its  large  ears  stick  up  so  drolly  above  its  thin, 
pale  face  that  it  gives  one  the  idea  of  a  mouse. 


THE   SHEEP 


179 


This  breed  is  more  useful  for  its  supply  of  the  quarter  weighing  from  nineteen  to  twenty- 
wool  than  of  meat.  Professor  Plumb,  one  of  two  pounds.  It  is  readily  adapted  to  good  or 
our  greatest  sheep  authorities,  claims  that  the  thin  pastures,  and  its  mutton  is  excellent.  For 
Cheviot  produces  mutton  of  superior  qualitw  this  reason  it  is  found  all  over  the  United 
which  stands  high  even 


in  the  land  that  pm- 
duces  mutton  as  a  first 
consideration. 

We  now  come  to  a 
group  of  English  sheep, 
all  popular  breeds  in 
our  country,  that  differ 
from  the  foregoing  in 
that  the  wool  is  medium 
in  length,  —  long e  r 
than  that  of  the  Chev- 
iot and  much  shorter 
than  that  of   the    Lin- 


■ 

k^g^^H 

-'^^^^mB  WW 

ife 

'^M 

Gr.and-Ch.amimon   Lincoln  Ewe 


States  and  Canada.  In 
appearance  it  favors  the 
Southdown,  its  chief 
progenitor.  The  wool 
covers  the  whole  face 
and  scarcely  leaves  vis- 
ible the  eyes  and  the 
black  tip  of  the  nose. 
It  also  extends  down  the 
legs  almost  to  the  hoofs. 
The  Hampshire 
Down  is  gaining  in  num- 
bers and  popularity  be- 
cause   of    its    size    and 


entered  into  the  improvement  of  this  breed, 
introducing  many  very  popular  qualities,  espe- 
cially compactness  and  breadth  over  ribs  and 
loin,  the   region  where  the  greater  part  of  the 


coin  or  Cotswold.  They  are  clothed  in  a  thick  early  maturing  t|ualities.  Southdown  blood  has 
fleece  of  short  wool  of  a  yellowish  color,  which 
covers  nearly  all  the  head  and  legs.  Except 
for  the  absence  of  horns,  their  appearance  re- 
calls that  of  the  Merino  sheep.  The  wool  about 
the  head  and  legs  is  black  or 
brown. 

With  us  the  Southdown  is 
the  generally  accepted  type  of 
the  mutton  and  short-wool 
sheep.  The  breed  takes  its 
name  from  the  downs  that  line 
the  southern  coast  of  England. 
Its  smooth,  even  body,  its 
round,  clean  barrel,  its  short 
legs,  its  fine  head  and  broad 
saddle,  make  it  profitable  for 
any  American  breeder  or 
farmer.  Its  mutton  has  long 
been  valued  highly  both  here 
and  abroad,  always  bringing 
the  highest  price.  A  saddle 
of  Southdown  mutton,  cooked 
at  the  proper  time,  is  perhaps  A  Ki 

the   best   of   all    meat   dishes. 
A  well-fed  Southdown  should 
weigh  eighteen  pounds  the  quarter  at  a  year  old, 
which  is  near  the  popular  margin  as  to  weight. 

The  Shropshire  shares  the  popularity  of  the 
Southdown  and  is  slighth'  larger  and  heavier. 


1\AM,  eii.A.Mi-K.N  .AT  Many  Exhibitions 

Plioto  J.  T.  Newman,  Berkhanipstead 

marketable  meat  is  found.    No  horns  are  found 
among  individuals  of  this  breed. 

The  body  is  rather  long  in  shape  and  not  as 
well-proportioned  as   that  of  the  Southdown ; 


I  So 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


A  SoiTHDOWN   Ram 

it  does  not  make  an  agreeable  impression  be- 
cause of  its  stupid,  heavy,  coarse  liead. 

Tlie  Oxford  Down  is  a  double  cross,  the 
blood  of  the  Hampshire  and  Cotswold  hav- 
ing been  used  in  establishing  the  breed.  The 
animals  of  this  breed  are  of  a  very  superior 
quality,  being  heavier  than  the  other  breeds 
in  the  group  and  possessing  excellent  quality 
for  the  production  of  meat.  They  rank  well 
as  farm  sheep,  and  are  commonly 
found  on  the  ranges  of  the  West. 
The  head  is  in  great  part  covered 
with  wool. 

The  Suffolk  breed  is  lighter  in 
form  and  color  than  any  of  the  pre- 
ceding ;  its  head  and  feet  are  dark 
brown,  and  while  not  so  compact  in 
form  as  the  Hampshire  it  somewhat 
resembles  it.  So  far  only  a  few  in- 
dividuals have  found  their  way  across 
the  water  to  us,  and  it  is  unlikely  that 
the  breed  will  ever  become  popular 
in  this  country. 

Sheep  with  short  wool  have,  as  a 
rule,  less  power  of  resistance  and  less 
ability  to  adapt  themselves  to  differ- 
ences in  climate,  soil,  nourishment,  and  general 
regimen  than  the  various  races  of  long-haired 
sheep. 


VI.  The  Mouxt.mx  Sheep 
OF  Gre.at  Brit.ain 

Besides  the  foregoing,  other 
races  of  sheep  which  have 
come  under  the  ennobling 
hand  of  man  are  finding  their 
way  to  the  United  States  from 
Great  Britain. 

The  Dorset  breed  as  we 
know  it,  with  its  heavy  horns, 
its  coarse  and  horny  head,  its 
strong  legs,  and  the  undeni- 
able defects  of  its  conforma- 
tion, still  keeps  the  type  of 
other  days.  It  is  distinguished 
besides  by  its  fine,  short  wool, 
and  by  the  extraordinary  fe- 
cundity of  the  ewes,  which 
may  give  birth  to  lambs  twice 
a  year  if  rightly  managed.  Many  breeders  are 
profiting  by  this  phenomenon  and  are  raising 
winter  lambs,  which  are  fed  and  fattened  in 
houses,  —  hothouse  lambs  they  are  called, — 
and  in  the  dead  of  winter  make  their  appear- 
ance as  spring  lamb  on  the  tables  of  persons 
rich  enough  to  pay  a  great  price  for  it.  For 
this  purpose  the  Dorset  is  the  sheep  par 
excellence    for    winter-lamb    production.      This 


K  \'euv  Fine  Steci-Mex  oe  a  Dorset  Ra.m 

breed,  which  is  gaining  favor  so  rapidly  in 
this  country,  is  confined  in  England  to  the  hill 
country  of  Dorsetshire. 


THE   SHEEP 


i8i 


TIic  Exinoor  s/iccp,  found  on  the 
heights  of  Exmoor,  shows  more  of 
the  mountain  type.  Like  the  Dorset, 
this  breed  has  horns,  which  appear 
on  even  the  very  young  lambs. 

T/u-  \Vc/s/i  inoiiiitaiii  s/it-c/i  resem- 
bles the  latter  except  that  the  ewe 
has  no  horns. 

T/ie  black-fnccd  sliccpoi  the  moun- 
tains resembles  the  moorland  sheep 
in  its  long,  coarse  fleece  and  the  color  of  the 
head,  which  is  spotted  with  black  ;   the  fleece 
is  so  long  that  it  almost  sweeps  the  ground. 


A  Celebrated  Mount.ain  R.\m  with  Bl.ack  He.ad 


TIic  Scotcli  vioufitain  sliccp,  called  the  Hard- 
wick  breed,  lives  on  the  rocky  slopes  of  the 
north  of  Scotland  ;  its  wool  resembles  that  of 
the  preceding  species,  but  the  head  and  legs 
are  white.  It  has  terrific  horns,  which  curl 
round  in  front  of  the  head  in  great  circles. 
This  animal  is  hardened  to  the  most  intense- 
cold,  to  violent  winds,  and  to  deep  snows, 
under  which  it  seeks  its  food. 

The  Shetland  sheep  is  part  moorland  ar.d 
part  mountain  sheep.  It  has  no  horns,  and 
its  wool  is  of  a  peculiar  soft,  warm  texture, 
and  was  much  in  vogue  formerly  for  the 
manufacture  of  furs,  and  it  is  now  knitted 
into  shawls  and  other  warm  garments  by 
the  women  of  the  Shetland  Isles.  Of  these 
breeds  the  Southdown,  Shropshire,  Dorset, 
Hampshire,  and  Oxford  Down  are  best 
known  in  the  United  States.     Next  to  the 


Wi.LSH  Ewes 

Merino  they  have  been  the  most  popular  breeds 
in  America ;  and  now  since  wool  has  become 
secondary,  they  are  likely  to  have  a  clean  field 
in  the  future. 

VII.    The  Merino  Sheep  of 
Spain 

The  Merino  race  forms  an  inde- 
pendent type  of  mountain  sheep  of 
very  ancient  origin.  The  most 
ancient  Roman  writers  —  Pliny, 
Strabo,  and  others  —  have  written  on 
the  ancestors  of  the  Merinos  and  on 
the  method  of  treating  them.  Virgil 
sings  of  them  in  his  Georgics. 
"  Shall  I  here  describe,"  he  says, 
"  the  shepherds  and  the  pastures  of 
Libya,  whose  few  hamlets  contain 
scarce  any  huts  ?  There  the  flocks 
browse  day  and  night  for  months  together,  and 
traverse  the  vast  deserts  without  shelter,  so 
almost  boundless  are  those  plains." 


A  Welsh  Ram 


lS2 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Before  the  reign  of  Alexander  Severus  silk 
and  cotton  were  unknown,  and  the  Romans 
wore  nothing  but  woolen  garments;  they  liked 
them  fine  and  were  ready  to  pay  high 
prices  for  them.  In  order  to  i 
prove  the  wool  of  the  Taran- 
to  sheep  they  imported 
animals  from  Africa, 
which  they  crosse 
with  their  own,  thus 
obtaining  a  \-ery 
fine,  soft  wool.  To 
these  they  added 
sheep  from  Anda- 
lusia and  Cordova 
in  Spain,  and  from 
Polenta  in  Italy, 
which  were  already 
famous  for  the  fine 
te.xture  of  their  black 
or   dark   brown   fleec 

Ovid,  who  devotes  to  sheep 
certain  verses  full  of  gratitude, 
tells  us  how  they  were  valued  not  only      ,  ,, 
for  their  wool  but  also  for  their  milk 
and  flesh.    Nevertheless  the  Merinos  and  their 
ancestors   have    always    been    sheep  for  wool 
rather  than  for  butchering.    Ancient  breeders 


paid  little  attention  to  the  conformation  of  their 
bodies  for  butcher's  meat ;  the  production  of 
fine  wool  was  the  rmly  thing  they  reall\-  cared 
about,  Italy  has  never  been  a  mutton- 
eating  country  ;  even  to  this  day 
the  servants  of  a  household 
object  to  it  as  food. 
The  origin  of  the  name 
"  Merino  "  bears  a  re- 
ation  to  the  origin 
of  the  sheep  them- 
selves. They  came 
by  sea  (iiicr)  to 
.Spain,  but  nothing 
definite  is  known 
about  their  coming. 
.  Their  ancestors 
i'  probably  came,  in 
part  at  least,  from 
Africa,  Spain  having 
alwa\s  held  active  inter- 
course with  that  continent,  as 
is  shown  by  the  settlement  of  the 
Moors  in  the  south  of  Spain,  with  their 
industries,  their  agriculture,  and  their 
knowledge  of  breeding,  in  which  they  attained 
great  proficiency.  On  the  other  hand,  there 
are  some  reasons  that  allow  us  to  think  that  the 


C>    SlIKHI' 


Siii:ii.AM)   Sheep 


THE   SHEEP 


I  S3 


ancestors  of  the  Merinos  came  from  England, 
for  up  to  a  certain  point  these  sheep  have  char- 
acteristics that  exactly  correspond  with  the 
short-haired  sheep  of  England,  especially  in 
quantity  and  quality.  There  was  long  a  keen 
rivalry  between  the  wools  of  Spain  and  Eng- 
land, so  that  Henry  II,  king  of  England,  de- 
creed, in  1 189,  that  all  cloth  manufactured 
from  Spanish  wool  should  be  jxiblicly  burned. 

In  ancient   times  it  was  th 
tom  to  take  the  sheep  in  great 
flocks  to  summer  pastu 
on   the   mountains  i 
northern  Spain,  bring- 
ing   them    back   i 
winter   to   their 
southern   homes. 
This   practice  be- 
came   general    in 
the  fifteenth  cen- 
tury  as   a   conse- 
quence   of    the 
great  wars  of  that 
period,     which 
obliged   the  own- 
ers of  vast  flocks 
to  save  them  from 
the  eye  of   the 
enemy.      Princes, 
nobles,    and    con- 
vents  alone   had 
the  right  to  make 
these  migrations. 
As  many  of  them 
owned  the  land 

through  which  the  flocks  traveled  they  derived 
a  rconsiderable  revenue  from  this  privilege. 
Stone  boundaries  were  set  up  in  all  directions, 
marking  the  broad  way  through  which  the 
sheep  might  pass.  The  width  was  usually  Merino  sheep  have  now  been  largely  replaced 
about  thirty-six  yards,  but  in  some  places  it  by  others  that  give  more  meat  and  remain  on 
was  nearly  one  hundred  yards.    On  these  paths      the  farms. 

the  flocks  and  their  shepherds  alone  had  the  Italy,    also,    had    flocks   which    migrated    to 

right  of  way,  and  the  latter  knew  well  how  to      the    Apennines    and    the    Abruzzo    from    the 
defend  that  right.  plains  of  Apulia,  and  still  has  them,  but  they 

The  great  flocks,  counting  often  eighty  thou-  never  traveled  such  long  distances  as  in  Spam, 
sand  animals,  were  divided  into  bands  num-  The  south  of  France  also  has  traveling  flocks 
bering  from  one  thousand  to  fifteen  hundred      which    journey    partly    to    the    Pyrenees,    but 


A  Mad.^g.asc.vr  Sheep 


each,  in  order  that  there  might  be  no  famine  on 
the  way.  Each  band,  or  troop,  was  led  by  fi\-e 
or  six  men  with  their  dogs;  the  latter  served 
only  to  keep  off  the  wolves,  always  following  the 
flock  at  some  distance.  No  one  had  the  right 
to  protect  his  property  from  the  devastation 
caused  by  the  migrating  sheep.  If  it  pleased 
the  shepherds  to  camp  with  their  flock  on  some 
fertile  property,  the  owner  had  to  resign  himself 
to  the  ruin  of  his  crops.  Agriculture 
was  absolutely  impossible  in 
ity  of  these  sheep 

ards  the  close  of 
the  eighteenth  cen- 
tiuy  an  edict  of  the 
king  of  Spain  gave 
to  the  owners  of 
svich  property  the 
right  to  inclose 
their  lands  and 
thus  sa\'e  them 
from  the  depreda- 
tions of  the  sheep; 
but  it  was  not 
until  the  nine- 
teenth century 
that  a  royal  de- 
cree gave  back  to 
the  proprietors, 
great  and  small, 
all  rights  to  the 
control  of  their 
land.  That  was 
the  enil,  in  Spain, 
of  the  raising  of  Merino  sheep  in  vast  num- 
bers. Pastures  were  transformed  into  wheat 
fields,  vineyards,  and  olive  orchards.  The  great 
migrations  became  a  thing  of  the  past,  and  the 


184 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Sheep  on  the  Swiss  Alps 

chiefly  to  the  Alps,  where  the  sheep  that  spend 
the  winters  near  the  mouths  of  the  Rhone  and 
along  the  banks  of  the  Crau  are  congregated 
in  summer.  On  the  plains  of  the  Crau  they  are 
never  put  into  sheepcots  except  at  shearing 
time.  At  night  they  are  kept  in  inclosures 
made  with  hurdles  of  willow  branches,  renewed 


e\ery  second  day.  The  shep- 
herds stay  night  and  day  with 
their  flocks  in  the  open  air, 
the  dogs  keeping  watch  out- 
side the  hurdles  against  wild 
animals.  In  the  morning  each 
shepherd  takes  out  his  troop 
and  leads  it  to  the  pasturage 
ajipointed  for  it.  The  Merino 
was  first  brought  to  the 
United  States  in  1801,  be- 
tween which  date  and  18 12 
large  numbers,  probably  as 
many  as  twenty  thousand, 
were  landed  and  scattered 
chiefly  through  New  England, 
the  Atlantic  states,  and  Ohio. 
Conspicuous  in  these  importa- 
tions were  David  Humphreys, 
Minister  to  Spain;  Chancellor  Livingston,  Min- 
ister to  France  ;  and  William  Jarvis,  Consul  to 
Portugal.  These  gentlemen,  mindful  of  the  im- 
portance of  the  sheep  industry  in  the  United 
States  at  the  time,  which  called  for  wool  of 
fine  quality  and  fine  fiber,  carefully  e.xamined 
the  sheep  in  these  countries,  and,  being  satisfied 


Spanish  Sheep 


THE   SHEEP 


185 


of  their  adaptability  and  usefulness  here,  not 
only  urged  the  importance  of  these  animals 
but  even  brought  many  specimens  with  them 
when  they  returned  home. 

For  a  great  many  years  the  Merino  was  our 
most  popular  sheep,  and  in  the  northern  sec- 
tions of  the  country  sheep  raising  was  an  im- 
portant industry  even  on  small  farms.  The 
Spanish  Merino  has  been  greatl\-  improved 
by  American  breeders ;  the  type  has  been 
changed,  the  wool  made  longer  and  finer,  and 
the  carcass  improved.  Changes  have  been  suf- 
ficient to  indicate  a  new  breed,  some  breeders 


A   GUIIIT    OF    OhIII    K.A.MS 

remains  a  fact  that  the  American  and  Spanish 
Merino  are  one  and  the  same  animal,  although 
the  American  type  is  materially  different  from 


Sheep  on  the  Hillside,  Wyoming 


being  inclined  to  call  our  Merino,  though  of 
Spanish  inheritance,  the  American  Merino. 
While  the  argument  is  clear  and  true,  it  still 


Ewe  .\nd  Lamb,  Ohio 


its  old  ancestor.  The  Merino  also  went  into 
France,  w^here  it  is  known  as  the  Rambouillet ; 
and  into  Germany,  where  it  is  known  as  the 
Saxony  Merino.  Like  the  American  Merino, 
many  changes  have  been  effected  over  the 
original  stock,  justifying  the  claims  for  new 
names  for  an  old  breed. 

The  French  Merinos  have,  perhaps,  a  larger 
carcass  than  the  average  American  Merino. 
The  French  breeders  were  also  the  first  to  pro- 
duce a  Merino  combing  wool,  from  which  have 
been  developed  some  of  the  most  interesting 
and  profitable  branches  of  wool  manufacturing, 
though   they   have   subsequently   found    rivals 


Competition  for  Shepherds  i\  Germany 


Sheep  Market  in  Holland 


THE   SHEEP 


1 87 


among    the    breeders    of    fine-wool    sheep    in 
America,  Germany,  and  Austraha. 

Merino  sheep  were  first  imported  into 
France  in  1766.  In  17S6  a  flock  of  four  hun- 
dred was  imported  from  Old  Castile  and  estab- 
lished at  Rambouillet.  With  great  difficulty 
these  sheep  were  saved  during  the  Revolution, 
and    to-da\-    the    Rambouillet    mutton    has   a 


to  the  African  sheep,  with  its  long,  outwardly 
curved  nose,  its  flabby,  pendent  ears,  and  its 
short,  fat  tail.  The  lambs  of  this  race  supply 
the  well-known  fur.  While  still  very  young 
they  are  covered  with  a  short,  fine  wool,  curled 
very  tightly  in  small  locks  all  over  the  body. 
Long  hairs  soon  appear  among  these  locks, 
and  for  that  reason  the  lambs  are  killed  within 


lis  Route  for  tiiI':  Slaughter  House 


European  reputation,  and  is  favorably  known 
on  many  American  farms. 

The  different  varieties  of  sheep  in  all  parts 
of  Europe  are  so  numerous  that  we  can  name 
here  only  a  few,  which  serve  the  world  at  large 
with  some  special  luxury. 

Bokhara,  a  district  of  southern  Russia,  that 
paradise  of  the  ovine  race,  with  its  dry  climate 
and  its  vast  grassy  steppes,  has  millions  of 
sheep  of  all  breeds,  but  especially  the  astra- 
k/iait.     This   animal   bears   much    resemblance 


a  very  few  days  of  their  birth.  These  skins 
bear  the  name  of  "  krimmer,"  and  are  sold  in 
the  Crimea  for  $2.50  each.  The  skins  called 
"astrakhan,"  which  come  from  older  lambs, 
cost  only  ^1.25.  To  assist  the  curling  of  the 
hair  the  young  lambs  are  sewn  up,  during  their 
brief  existence,  in  another  skin  or  in  a  piece  of 
coarse  linen. 

Among  the  mountains  of  the  south  of 
France  we  find  the  breed  that  produces  the 
famous     Roquefcirt     cheese.      This    cheese    is 


1 88 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


illlllli*..  .- 


SiiKEP  Market  in  Paris 

made  by  mixing  clotted  milk  with  moistened 
bread.  Between  three  layers  of  the  curds 
are  placed  two  layers  of  bread  crumbs,  ground 
to  powder.  This  bread  is  made  expressly  of 
wheat,  rye,  barley  flour,  and  yeast.  The 
mixture  is  then  pressed  into  porcelain  molds 
with  holes  at  the  sides.  Next  it  is  dried  and 
salted  in  a  particular  manner  and  placed  to 
ripen,  that  is,  to  mature,  in  grottoes  or  caves 
in  the  mountains.  Thirty  or  forty  days  are 
required  to  ripen  these  cheeses,  during 
which  time  they  are  covered  with  a  thick 
mold  which  has  to  be  frequently  removed. 
The  manufacture  of  this  cheese  is  now  in 
the  hands  of  a  corporation. 

VIII.   Wool 

In  addition  to  meat  and  milk  for  the 
food  of  man,  fat  for  soap  and  candles,  bones 
to  make  buttons,  and  skin  transformed  into 
parchment,  leather,  kid  gloves,  shoes,  furni- 
ture covering,  and  harness,  wool  is,  and  has 
been  from  time  immemorial,  the  chief  pro- 
duction of  these  useful  animals. 

The  most  ancient  biblical  stories  make 
mention  of  the  shearing  of  sheep  and  of  the 
custom  of  making  the  occasion  a  festival 
coincident  with  that  of  the  harvest.  As  we 
have  already  seen  in  treating  of  the  differ- 
ent races,  there  is  a  great  difference  in  the 
quality  of  the  wool.  We  may  disregard 
the  short  fleeces  covering  head  and  legs. 
The    long    fleeces    are    divided    into    two 


qualities,  —  one  of  superior 
solidity  and  full  of  marrow, 
and  the  other  soft,  downy,  and 
without  marrow.  If  we  exam- 
ine a  thread  of  wool  under  the 
microscope,  we  find  it  com- 
posed of  cells  which  overlap 
each  other  like  the  scales  of 
a  fish,  and  within  is  a  hollow, 
full  of  marrow,  forming  the 
medullary  canal.  The  coarser 
the  wool  the  larger  the  canal ; 
in  vcr)-  fine  wool  it  is  wholly 
absent.  In  some  races  this 
marrow  canal,  which  their 
ancestors  certainly  possessed  and  which  still 
predominates  in  the  wild  sheep  now  existing, 
is  completely  replaced  by  a  species  of  down 
without  marrow,  a  wool  which  is  of  far  greater 


\'erv  Long  Fleece 


THE   SHEEP 


189 


value  to  man.  The  Merino  is  an  example  of 
a  race  which  now  produces  this  improved  wool, 
but  many  other  breeds  of  short-wool  sheep 
have  the  same  quality. 

The  quality  of  the  wool  is  judged  by  its 
curls  (as,  for  instance,  the  number  there  are 
to  the  square  inch)  ;  by  the  length  when 
uncurled  and  stretched  out ;  by  the  weight 
which  each  thread  can  bear  without, breaking ; 
by  its  elasticity,  that  is  to  say,  its  power  to 
curl  up  again  after  being  stretched  out ;  and 
finally,  by  its  color  and  brilliancy. 

The  great  variety  of  wools  now  existing  may- 
be classed  in  two  groups,  —  the  fine  or  short 
and  carding  wool,  and  the  long,  coarse,  and 
combing  wool.  For  the  manufacture  of  cloth 
the  former  —  such,  for  instance,  as  the  Merinos 
supply  —  is  used.  The  softer  materials,  such  as 
thibet,  are  made  with  longer,  less  curly  wool, 
which  is  carded  before  it  is  spun  ;  these  latter 
fabrics  bear  the  name  of  etaniinc,  or  tammy 
cloth.  The  manufacture  of  these  softer  fabrics, 
such  as  cashmere,  homespun,  serge,  cheviot, 
zibeline,  and  flannel,  has  rather  driven  into  the 
background  the  making  of  cloth,  properly  so 
called  ;  consequently  the  Merinos,  which  fur- 
nished the  finest  wool  for  the  latter  purpose, 
have  been  supplanted,  especially  in  France  and 
Germany,  by  breeds  whose  fleece  is  lighter 
and  more  porous. 

In  some  countries,  ours  especially,  it  is 
the  custom  to  wash  the  sheep  before  shearing 
them ;  in  others  they  are  not  washed,  and  the 


fleece  is  sold  with  all  the  grease  and  sweat  in 
it.  This  is  certainly  advantageous  for  the 
seller.  In  some  parts  of  the  Old  World,  when 
the  shearing  is  on  a  large  scale,  the  sheep, 
numbering  sometimes  twenty  thousand,  are 
put  into  huge  covered  sheds,  whence  they  are 
driven  into  a  sweating  compartment,  where 
they  are  crowded  one  upon  another  to  induce 
perspiration.  These  compartments  have  neither 
doors  nor  windows  ;  the  animals  are  exhausted 
intentionally,  and  their  health  is  partially  sacri- 
ficed solely  to  obtain  a  heavier  fleece  and  to 
make  the  harsh  wool  of  the  rams  softer  and 
more  supple. 

After  the  sale  the  fleeces  are  washed  by 
the  manufacturers  of  the  cloth.  At  the  height 
of  the  wool  production  in  Spain,  when  great 
quantities  were  exported  to  foreign  countries 
(in  1796  these  exports  amounted  to  twelve 
million  pounds),  the  king  of  Spain  derived  vast 
sums  from  an  export  tax.  In  the  year  just 
mentioned  it  amounted  to  51,496,000. 

Formerly  the  fleece  was  pulled  from  the 
body  of  the  animal  at  the  molting  or  shed- 
ding season.  The  custom  still  prevails  in  Ice- 
land and  in  some  other  European  countries ; 
but  the  present  method,  especially  with  us, 
is  to  shear  with  a  machine,  operated  either  by 
hand  or  power,  that  cuts  the  wool  with  perfect 
regularity,  does  not  wound  the  sheep,  and 
reduces  the  time  necessary  to  shear  one  ani- 
mal from  half  an  hour  to  ten  minutes  and 
even  less. 


VI 

THE  GOAT 


I.   Ix  Ancient  Times 

The  goat  even  more  than  the  sheep  is  the 
inhabitant  of  mountains.  This  animal,  closely 
related  to  the  sheep,  the  antelope,  and  the 
deer,  likes  warmth  and  dryness,  and  is  most 
at    its    ease    in   central    Asia,    the   Himalayas, 


A  DuTfn  Goat 

and  other  mountains  of  the  torrid  zone,  where, 
in  fact,  we  find  its  cradle,  whence  it  has  spread 
through  Europe,  and,  to  some  extent,  through 
America.  It  has  prospered  in  the  countries 
bordering  on  the  Mediterranean,  —  in  northern 
Africa  and  southern  Europe, — and  several 
islands  in  that  sea  derive  their  name  from  it. 
In  Corsica  the  number  of  goats  is  estimated 


at  ninety  thousand.  Malta  gives  its  name  to 
a  special  race.  But  Greece  and  her  islands 
can  boast  of  more  than  the  rest  of  Europe, 
possessing  r)ne  hundred  and  twenty  for  every 
hundred  of  the  population,  while  France, 
Germanv,  and  Austria  have  only  from  four 
to  fi  \'  e ,  the  United 
States  three,  and  Rus- 
sia only  two  for  every 
hundred  of  their  inhab- 
itants. According  to 
the  most  trustworthy 
calculations  there  are 
about  twenty  millions  of 
goats  in  Europe.  There 
are  nearly  two  millions 
in  the  United  States. 

The  goat  has  been  a 
domestic   animal   from 
time  immemorial.     Like 
the  sheep,  it  is  easy  to 
tame.    The  Greeks   and 
the  Romans,  as  well  as 
the   Hebrews,  knew  the 
goat  as  a  domestic  ani- 
mal :  witness  the  manner 
in  which  Jacob  deceived 
his  blind   father.    The 
ancients  raised  these  an- 
imals for  their  milk,  of 
which  they  also  made 
cheese,  and   for  their 
meat,  which   is   tooth- 
some when  the  animal  is 
young,  but  uneatable  when  old  on  account  of 
its  horrible  odor.    The  skins  were  used  to  carry 
drinking  water  by  the  migratory  tribes  of  the 
East ;  the}'  were  also  used  for  clothing,  a  practice 
still  cnntinued  bv  the  Kirghiz  of  central  Asia. 
The  skin  of   goats  is  used    in  our   day  for 
the   manufacture  of  kid   for   gloves,   morocco, 
shagreen,  and  other  fine  leathers,  and  also   for 


190 


THE  GOAT 


191 


parchnicMit.  The  United  States  especially 
uses  these  skins  in  manufactures,  impf)rting 
annually  not  less  than  twenty-five  million  dol- 
lars' worth.  The  hair  of  goats  is  also  very 
useful  for  the  manufacture  of  brushes  of  all 
kinds,  as  well  as  for  hats;  in  Eastern  countries 
it  is   used   in  the  manufacture  nf  shawls,  and 


cows'  milk  so  dangerous  to  children  and  to 
sick  or  feeble  persons.  Throughout  Europe 
and  America  cattle  are  much  infected  with 
tuberculosis,  which  makes  great  ravages  among 
men,  whereas  it  may  be  said  never  to  appear 
among  goats.  It  is  an  established  fact  that 
while   the    milk   of  cows   may  convey  disease 


-Swiss  Milch  Go.ats 

Zoological  Garden  of  Acclimation 


mohair  is  obtained  from  the  fleece  cif  the  An- 
gora goats  of  Turkey. 

II.    Go.\TS'    MlI.K 

It  is  well  to  give  a  few  details  concerning 
the  chief  product  of  the  goat  in  Europe,  —  its 
milk,  which  is  very  nourishing  on  account  of  the 
great  quantity  of  fat  and  albumen  which  it  con- 
tains, and  also  because  it  is  easy  to  digest,  and 
comes  from  an  animal  species  little  subject  to 
disease,  having  especially  great  strength  of  re- 
sistance to  tuberculosis,  a  disease  which  makes 


unless  boiled  f)r  pasteurized,  the  milk  of  goats 
presents  no  such  danger,  and  is  even  a  passive 
preservative  against  tuberculosis  through  the 
absence  of  the  bacillus  thereof ;  which  does 
not  mean,  however,  that  it  is  an  active  pre- 
servative. It  is  much  to  be  desired  that 
experiments  should  be  made  in  this  direction. 
A  movement  has  lately  been  started  in  the 
United  States  for  the  raising  of  Angora  goats 
in  the  foothills  of  Texas,  California,  Arizona, 
and  Oregon,  by  patients  in  the  first  stages  of 
tuberculosis,   as   a   promising   means   of   cure. 


19- 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


The  Support  of  the  Family 


A  belief  in  the  influence  of  the 
ous  diseases  is  also  very  prev 
southern  states  and  in  Eng- 
land ;  so  much  so  that  they 
are  often  kept  in  stables  and 
cow  barns  to  ward  off  disease 
from  horses  and  cattle. 

Many  persons,  especially  in 
Eurf)pe  and  America,  have  a 
repugnance  to  goats'  milk  on 
account  of  its  bitter  taste, 
the  cause  of  which  lies  in  the 
food  and  general  treatment 
to  which  the  animals  are  sub- 
jected. The  goat  is  not 
daint\' ;  it  will  eat  with  satis- 
faction what  other  animals 
reject,  such  as  bark  of  trees, 
bushes,  wild  fruits,  berries, 
etc. ;  tobacco  it  considers  a 
dainty.  In  short,  it  eats  any- 
thing it  can  get ;  and  if  all 
sorts  of  bad  food  are  given  to 
a  goat,  and  if,  moreover,  it  is 
shut  up  in  a  damp  and  dirty 
stable,  it  is  no  wonder  if  the 


goat  on  vari- 
alent    in    the 


milk  both  tastes  and 
smells  repulsive.  But  if , 
on  the  contrary,  the  ani- 
mal has  fresh  air,  good 
food,  and  cleanliness,  it 
will  give  good,  sweet 
milk.  In  Eastern  coun- 
tries goats'  milk  is  pre- 
ferred to  cows'  milk,  for 
which,  indeed,  the  Arabs 
have  a  great  aversion. 

About  four  years  ago 
M.  Joseph  C  repin,  a 
member  of  the  National 
Acclimation  Society  of 
France,  opened  at  Paris 
a  goats'-milk  creamery 
especially  for  children 
and  invalids,  which  has 
since  passed  into  the 
hands  of  a  corporation, 
M.  Crepin  having  solely 
in  view  the  acceptance  of  his  idea  in  the  sani- 
tary interests  of  the  public. 


S.ARNEN  He-Goat 


THE   GOAT 


193 


III.    Descent 

Buffon's  supposition  that  the  tame  goat  of 
Europe  comes  from  a  mixture  of  the  camel 
and  the  wild  goat  has  been  contradicted  for 
many  good  reasons,  and  especially  because  of 
the  fact  that  the  camel  and  the  wild  goat, 
far  from  consorting  in  their  wild  state,  avoid 
each  other's  society.  Buffon's  idea  had  long 
existed,  but  it  is  now  generally  considered  that 
the  Bezoar  goat  of  Asia  made  its  way  into 
Europe  by  the  south. 

Several  varieties  of  the  wild  goat  still  exist 
in  Europe,  Asia,  and  Africa,  but  in  Europe 
they  have  almost  disappeared.  In  the  four- 
teenth, fifteenth,  and  sixteenth  centuries  they 
were  found  in  vast  numbers  in  the  Alps, 
from  Mont  Blanc  to  Salzburg  in  Styria.  They 
were  usually  seen  in  large  troops  on  the  high- 
est mountains,  seeking  their  food  near  the 
snow  limit.  The  bucks  were  very  tall,  with 
large  horns  curving  slightly  backward.  The 
females  were  much  smaller  in  size,  with  small 
horns.  They  were  and  are  bold  leapers,  and 
will  spring  without  hesitation  from  one  pointed 
rock  to  another,  across  giddy  precipices,  flee- 
ing over  glaciers,  if  pursued. 

This  interesting  animal  (known  now  as  the 
chamois)  maintained  its  abode  for  a  long  time 


Goats  called  '•Hertgeite" 
Prize  winners,  1903 


Fke.nck  Milch  Goat 

on  the  mountains  of  Piedmont,  in  the  vicinity 
of  Mont  Blanc,  the  Matterhorn,  and  the  Monte 
Rosa.  The  Italian  govern- 
ment has  done  its  best  to 
protect  the  last  remnants 
of  this  fine  species,  but  the 
passion  for  hunting  and  its 
dangers  exercises  such  irre- 
sistible influence  on  sports- 
men that  they  brook  nothing 
that  interferes  with  its  indul- 
gence. When  we  read  travel- 
ers' tales  by  personages  often 
high  in  rank  we  are  amazed 
to  see  with  what  delight 
those  gentlemen  (.')  will  fire 
upon  a  poor  chamois,  or 
other  wild  animal,  poised  on 
an  inaccessible  rock,  without 
other  object  than  to  see  it 
fall  into  a  deep  abyss,  where 
it    lies   with    broken   limbs. 


194 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


a  prey  to  suffering,  death,  and  putrefaction. 
We  might  understand  such  cruelt}'  in  some 
poor  creature  trying  to  earn  a  lix'ing,  but  it 
ought  ne\'er  to  enter  the  minds  of  educated 
men,  or  at  least  those  who  regard  themselves 
as  such.  \\'e  must,  however,  add  that  tlie 
chamois  living  on  the  highest,  wildest,  and 
most  inaccessible  rocks  has  often  sold  his  life 
dear  at   the  cost   of   that   of    many   a   hunter. 


existing  at  the  period  of  the  lake  villages  of 
Switzerland  were  precisely  the  same  as  those 
of  to-day,  which  proves  that  until  now  man 
has  not  thought  it  worth  while  to  improve  this 
animal  .Species.  There  is  little  or  no  difference 
between  the  exteriors  of  the  Norwegian,  Swiss, 
Spanish,  and  Grecian  goats.  Everj'where  we 
find  them  with  or  without  horns,  and  with  long 
or   short    hair,   striped   with   many    discordant 


Belgian  Go..\ts  with   Horns 


The  chamois  mates  successfully  with  the 
domestic  goat,  and  is  easily  tamed;  but  its  pas- 
sion for  climbing  never  dies,  and  its  progeny 
inherit  it. 

IV.    The   Domestic  Go.\t 

Up  to  the  present  time  little  pains  have 
been  taken  to  divide  the  tamed  goats  into 
species,  but  of  late  persons  are  beginning 
more  and  more  to  distinguish  and  improve  the 
different  breeds.    It  is  a  fact   that   the  goats 


colors  —  yellow,  red,  white,  reddish  brown, 
gray,  and  black.  Goats  of  a  single  color  are 
rarely  found,  unless  they  have  come  through 
the  hands  of  breeders  who  have  bred  them 
with  that  idea  in   view. 

The  S7VISS  goat  of  tJic  Sanien  is  the  chief 
species  of  central  Europe.  It  comes  from 
the  valleys  of  the  Sarnen  and  the  Simmen, 
and  is  characterized  by  its  color,  which  is 
wholly  white,  by  the  absence  of  horns,  and 
especially    by    its   great    production    of    milk. 


THE   GOAT 


195 


The  hair  is  usually  short  and  rough,  the  beard 
long  and  heavy.  The  bucks  are  tall  —  over 
three  feet.  The  race  has  delicate  heads,  slen- 
der necks,  long  bodies,  straight  backs,  slim 
legs,  and  large,  tender, 
hairless  udders  in  the 
ewes.  With  good  food 
the  production  of  milk 
is  about  si.x  quarts  a  day, 
though  some  give  seven, 
eight,  or  even  twelve 
quarts.  The  annual  pro- 
duction is  from  twelve 
to  eighteen  hundred 
quarts,  though  the  goat 
Betty,  belonging  to  the 
Breeding  Society  of 
Pfungstadt,  gave  three 
thousand  quarts  in  one 
year. 

For  this  qualit_\-  the 
Sarnen  goat  has  been 
imported  in  great  num- 
bers since  1S87  into 
France,  Germany,  Bel- 
gium, Holland,  England, 

and  even  South  Africa,  and  not  a  few  ha\e 
been  brought  to  the  United  States. 

The  Stvart::i-Hl>o!irg-GHgg!sbi-rg  goat  comes 
also  from  the  valley  of  the  Sarnen,  especially 
from  the  neighborhood  of  Stockhorn,  Erlen- 
bach,  and  Schwenten.    It  is  of  various  colors, 


horns,  while  others  are  without  them;   the  pro- 
duction of  milk  is  about  three  cjuarts  a  day. 

The  AppcHze/  or  Jlat-/icadi-d goat  come.?,  from 
the  canton  of  that  name ;  it  is  without  horns 


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Swiss  Goats  called  "de  Sarnen" 

much  spotted  and  variegated,  sometimes  with 
a  black  back  and  a  white  stomach,  or  with 
white  stripes  and  other  variations.    Some  have 


Belgian  Goats  witikh-t  Horns 


and   is   generally   white,   though   sometimes   it 

is  dark  or  spotted.    The  production  of  milk  is 

about  five  quarts  daily. 

The  ToggciiboKig  goat  is  from  the  canton  of 

St.  Gall.    It  is  brown,  with  long  white  stripes 

on  the  head ;  the  legs  are  white,  and  it  has  no 
horns.  It  is  a  very  handsome,  well- 
made  goat,  which  produces  six  quarts 
of  milk  daily. 

The  Freiburg  or  Greyers  goat  and 
the  black-necked  goat  of  tlic  Valais 
are  found  in  the  cantons  of  those 
names  antl  in  the  Tyrol  ;  the  latter 
breed,  which  is  strong  and  well  made, 
has  the  front  half  of  the  body  black, 
and  the  rear  half  white.  Both  species 
are  good  milkers.  According  to  Pro- 
fessor Anderegg,  of  Berne,  twenty- 
six   different   species   of    goats    are 

found  in  Switzerland. 

In  the  Savoy  Alps  there  are  very  fine  goats, 

of  which  the  Mauricnne  is  the  best  breed.    The 


196 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Three  Maltemc  (inATS  (left),  Two  Native  Belcian  Goats  (center) 
head,  neck,  and  forward  part  of  the  body  and      the  body  a  beautiful  black   mantle  is  spread, 


the   legs   are   a    fine   saffron   yellow,    merging 
sometimes   into   gray,   while   over  the   rest  of 


A  Dangerous  Situation 


which  results  in  a  splendid  contrast  of  colors. 

If  we  turn  southward  from  the  Alps  we 
come  upon  the  Pyrenees  with  its  particular 
breed  called  the  Rucc  of  tlic  Pyrenees  ;  these 
goats  are  long-haired,  either  white  or  black,  and 
carry  magnificent  horns.  This  is  the  principal 
breed  that  goatherds  drive  in  droves  through 
towns  to  deliver  milk  for  children  and  invalids. 

The  Maltese  goat,  on  the  island  of  Malta, 
is  narrow  behind,  without  horns,  short-haired, 
and  somber  in  color,  —  generally  brown  or 
snuff-colored,  varied  with  white.  The  hair  is 
moderately  fine,  between  the  soft  hair  of  the 
Angora  and  the  rough  hair  of  the  Norwegian 
goats.  Most  of  them  have  small  horns,  but 
the  island  also  possesses  a  long-horned  variety. 

Italian  goats  live  chiefly  among  the  Apen- 
nines ;  in  the  days  of  the  Romans  they  formed 
the  chief  wealth  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
mountain  regions. 

In  Germany  there  are  several  much-esteemed 
breeds,  among  them   being  the  Black  Forest, 


THE   GOAT 


197 


a  fine  goat  the  color  of  a  deer,  and  the  little 
goat  of  Langcnsaha  (Saxony),  which  is  usually 
white,  although  sometimes  brown  with  a  stripe 
along  the  back. 

The  Norivcgiaii  goat  resembles  the  black- 
necked  goat  of  Switzerland,  the  hair  being 
long  and  waving ;  the  horns  of  the  buck  are 
well  developed. 

The  common  English  goat  is  often  without 
horns,  ill-shaped,  and  rough-haired.  The  com- 
mon Irish  goat  is  the  true  type  of  a  milch 
goat.  The  back  is  often  a  little  hollow,  the 
horns  curve  backward,  and  the  hanging  ears 
are  rather  long.  They,  like  their  English 
sisters,  can  claim  no  beauty. 

The  Flemish  goat  of  Belgium  is  of  two 
breeds,  —  the  deer  goat  and  the  sheep  goat. 
Both  are  closely  related  and  are  sometimes 
mingled.  The  first  has  a  delicate  head,  slim 
neck,  slender  legs,  short,  smooth  hair,  and  a 
gay  and  lively  temperament.  The  sheep  goat, 
on  the  contrary,  is  coarser  in  every  way,  with 
a  calmer  or,  so  to  speak,  more  sheepish  nature. 
The  color  of  these  Belgium  goats  is  usually  a 
magnificent  reddish  brown,  or  else  a  chamois 
color,  which  is  the  most  desired. 

Among  the  goats  outside  of  Europe  we 
must  here  mention  the 
principal  species.  First 
comes  the  Syrian  goat, 
found    chiefly    in    Syria 


to  two  thousand.  Their  color  varies,  being 
gray,  yellow,  brown,  and  black ;  many  have 
beautiful  sky-blue  eyes.  The  hair  is  long,  espe- 
cially on  the  hind  quarters,  whereas  on  the 
neck  it  is  short  and  very  brilliant.    The  Arabs 


Norwegian  He-Goat 

and  Palestine,  but  also  in  the  warm  regions  of 
Asia  as  far  as  the  islands  of  the  Indian  Ocean. 
They  live  in  flocks  numbering  from  five  hundred 


Wonderful  Tolerance ! 

use   this   hair  for  the    manufacture   of   stuffs 
and  rugs,    making    the   inferior  qualities   into 
portieres  for  tents,  and  even  ropes.   Even  when 
ill-fed  these  goats  can  still  give  from  three  to 
six  quarts  of  milk  a  day.     This  milk  has  not 
the  bitter  taste  nor  the  offensive  odor  which 
characterize  that  of  the  European  goats.   Grass 
being  rare  in  their  pasturage,  their  food  con- 
sists  chiefly  of  acorns   and    of  a  fruit   called 
"  St.  John's  bread."    The  butter  and  cheese 
made  from  the  milk  of  these  goats  is  cele- 
brated for  its  excellence. 

The  flocks  of  Palestine  are  sometimes 
decimated  by  a  contagious  disease,  a  species 
of  yellow  fever,  which  often  mows  down  sixty 
per  cent  of  them.  The  Arabs  consider  this 
a  punishment  for  their  own  sins,  and  bless 
Allah  that  he  does  not  take  the  whole 
flock. 

The  Nubian  goat  lives  in  Upper  Egypt, 
■  Nubia,  and  the  mountains  of  Abyssinia.  In 
i860  the  Negus  of  Abyssinia  sent  a  young 
hippopotamus  as  a  present  to  Napoleon  III, 
and  with  it  a  number  of  these  goats  to  serve 
as  wet  nurses.  It  is  related  that  they  each  gave 
from  fifteen  to  eighteen  quarts  of  milk  a  day. 


198 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


The  Cashvicrc goat  is  found  in  Cashmere  and 
in  Tibet.  It  is  not  tall  ;  it  has  a  rather  large 
head  and  pendent  ears.     Its  long,  spiral  horns 


Rf,.\i)v  to  take  out  B.aby 

curve  obliquely  backward.  The  outer  hair  is 
long,  fine,  straight,  and  stiff,  but  beneath  it  is 
the  extremely  fine,  soft,  fleecy  wool  which  has 
made  this  species  of  goat  so  famous.  The 
color  of  the  outer  hair  is  white,  silvery,  pale 
yellow,  or  light  brown ;  the  wool  runs  from 
white  to  gray.  This  wool  enables  the  animal 
to  bear  the  severe  cold  of  the  mountains  of 
Tibet.  It  is  sheared  in  May  or  June  ;  the  long 
hair  is  carefully  separated  from  the  brilliant 
and  silky  wool,  of  which  each  goat  can  suppl}' 
from  one  to  one  and  one-half  pounds.  For 
the  making  of  the  third  of  a  yard  of  a  cash- 
mere shawl  the  wool  of  seven  or  eight  goats 
is  needed.  Under  the  rule  of  the  Great 
Mogul  forty  thousand  weavers  of  shawls 
worked  in  Cashmere  ;  but  after  that  country 
was  made  subject  to  the  Afghans  this  fine 
industry  received  a  blow  from  which  it  has 
never  recovered. 

The  Angora  goat,  which  is  growing  so  popu- 
lar with  us,  comes  from  Asia  Minor,  and  takes 
its  name  from  the  ancient  commercial  city  of 


Ankyra,  now  known  as  Angora.  This  animal 
is  well  shaped,  and  has  long,  broad,  pendent 
ears.  The  bucks  have  long,  flat,  finely  curved 
horns,  while  those  of  the  ewes  are 
smaller  and  simpler.  The  hair  of  this 
species  is  celebrated,  and  has  long 
been  an  article  of  commerce  in  much 
demand.  The  wool  is  abundant,  thick, 
long,  fine,  soft,  shining,  silky,  and 
slightly  curled.  The  color  is  mostly 
a  brilliant  snow-white,  although  some- 
times dark  patches  occur.  In  summer 
it  is  shed  in  great  locks,  but  soon 
grows  out  again.  During  the  hot 
weather  the  animals  are  washed  and 
combed  continually  to  increase  the 
beaut)-  of  the  wool.  They  are  sheared 
in  winter.  Most  of  the  wool  is  sold  at 
Angora,  whence  it  is  sent  chiefly  to 
England,  the  e.xportation  amounting 
to  millions  of  pounds. 

The  finest  Angora  wool  (called 
mohair)  comes  from  goats  a  year  old; 
it  deteriorates  in  the  following  years, 
until  at  si.x  years  of  age  it  becomes 
useless.  In  other  climates,  especially  if  damp,  it 
loses  its  good  qualities,  which  explains  why  the 
importation  of  the  animal  into  America  for  wool 
alone  has  so  far  not  proved  very  satisfactory. 

V.    Improvement  Societies 

Influential  persons  are  tr\ing  in  many  coun- 
tries to  improve  the  breeding  of  goats  ;  rewards 


Ye.\kling  Angor.^  Buck 


THE   GOAT 


199 


Exhibition  of  Goats  in  Harness 


are  offered  for  improved  animals,  competitions  Sometimes  the    societies   devote   their  efforts 

have  been  organized,  and  genealogical  records  to    the    improvement    of    the    native    breeds, 

established.    Germany  has  a  great  number  of  although   as   a  general  thing  Swiss  goats  are 

these  societies,  especially  in  the  grand  duchies,  imported   to  improve  them. 


YeaKI.INC,   and  AfiED  ,A.NOORA    BucKS,  Calh-ornia 


200 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


In     England     the     British     Goat     Society,  capricious  and  inquisitive,  and  one  might  say 

founded  in   1879,  works  in  this  direction.    At  crazv  for  every  species  of  adventure.    It  posi- 

the  head  of  it  are  persons   of   wealth,   whose  tivel\-  delights  in  perilous  ascensions.   At  times 

object   is   to   favor   the   breeding  and   rational  it   will    rear  and    threaten   you   with    its   head 

treatment  of  these  animals  among  the  poorer  and    horns,   apparently   with   the    worst   inten- 

classes.    The   society  provides   instruction  on  tions,   whereas   it   is   usually    an    invitation   to 


the  goat,  its  milk  and  meat, 
hoping  to  remove  the  English 
jjrejudice  against  them,  as 
well  as  to  improve  the  con- 
formation of  the  animals  and 
their  production  of  milk. 

In  1902  a  Belgian  society 
for  the  improvement  of  the 
goat  was  formed  in  Brussels. 
It  has  the  same  object  as  all 
the  other  societies,  with  this 
difference,  that  it  not  only 
imports  Swiss  goats  but  en- 
deavors also  to  improve  its 
own  \'ery  beautiful  indigenous 
species  of  the  deer  goat,  on 
the  principle  that  before 
attempting  to  improve  a  breed  as  to  conforma- 
tion and  temperament,  you  should  first  begin 
by  cultivating  a  pure  race. 

VI.    Ch.\r.\cter  of  the  Go.\t 
Every  one  knows  the  gayety  of  young  kids. 


play.  The  bucks,  however, 
fight  violently  with  each 
other ;  they  seem  to  have  no 
consciousness  of  the  most  ter- 
rible blows.  The  ewes  them- 
selves are  not  exempt  from 
this  \'ice. 

The  goat  is  a  sociable  ani- 
mal ;  take  away  her  companion 
and  she  will  bleat  for  days  and 
refuse  to  eat  or  drink.  She 
lox'cs  to  be  caressed  by  man, 
and  is  very  jealous  if  atten- 
tions are  shown  to  a  rival. 
The  bucks  when  trained  will 
draw  their  little  masters  by 
the  hour,  if  kindly  treated ; 
but  if  they  are  teased  or  ill-used,  the\-  will  fre- 
quentU'  refuse  positively  to  do  their  work. 
Thev  know  very  well  whether  or  not  they  have 
deserved  punishment.  Drive  them  out  of  the 
garden,  where  they  are  forbidden  to  go,  with 
a  whip  and  they  will  flee  without  uttering  a 
which  prompts  them  to  cut  the  most  amusing  sound  ;  but  strike  them  without  just  cause  and 
and  burlesque  capers.    The  goat  is  naturally      they  will  send  forth  lamentable  cries. 


PL.WFULN'ESS 


VII 

THE   PIG 


All  of  our  important  breeds  of  hogs  have 
descended  from  the  wild  hog  (Sus  apcr)  that 
once  roamed  over  Europe,  Asia,  and  Africa. 
What  people  first  subjugated  the  wild  hog  and 
brought  him  into  a  better  style  of  living,  history 
has  not  told  us,  nor  has  any  one  attempted  to 
say  just  when  this  subjugation  took  place. 
The  wild  hog  is  a  very  active  and  powerful 
individual ;  when  he  grows  old  he  is  extremely 
fierce  and  dangerous.  Generally  speaking,  the 
color  is  an  iron-gray  or  a  dirty  brown,  spotted 
here  and  there  with  black.  Like  his  descend- 
ants, only  to  a  very  much  greater  extent,  the 
original  hog  was  covered  with  coarse,  long  hair 
that  showed  bristles  of  great  prominence  all  the 
time,  and  especially  when  the  animal  was  irri- 
tated. The  head  of  the  wild  hog  is  large,  bony, 
and  coarse  ;  the  large  jaw  is  covered  with  the 
tusks  that  inflict  severe  wounds ;  the  neck  is  long 
and  muscular,  and  the  loins  broad  and  strong. 
The  wild  hog  makes  a  foe  fearful  to  combat 
when  attacked  by  an  enemy  of  any  sort.  In  his 
wild  habitat  he  selects  places  that  are  moist, 
rather  well  concealed  by  forest  growth,  where 
he  may  feed  upon  plants,  fruits,  and  roots  of  vari- 
ous kinds,  though  when  hunger  affects  him  he 
greedily  appeases  his  appetite  on  worms,  snakes, 
and  flesh  of  any  kind.  The  twilight,  early  dawn, 
and  nighttime  seem  by  choice  his  favorite 
periods  for  seeking  food,  sport,  adventure,  and 
e.xercise.  Sense  of  smell  has  been  developed 
to  such  a  marked  degree  in  the  wild  hog  that 
he  is  able  to  detect  the  presence  of  food  though 
it  be  covered  in  the  ground.  Like  other  domes- 
tic animals  in  their  wild  and  native  state  the 
wild  hog  seeks  thick  forests  and  there  herds 
with  his  kind  for  safety  and  protection;  when 
age  comes  on  he  strolls  much  about  by  himself, 
never  seeking  danger,  but  when  it  comes  he 
avoids  it  not.  It  has  been  estimated  that 
thirty  or  forty  years  is  not  an  infrequent  age 
for  some  of  these  wild  animals  to  attain. 


When  young  are  born  they  follow  their  mother 
for  several  months,  in  fact,  remain  with  her  as 
much  as  a  year  or  more,  when  each  individual 
becomes  bolder  and  goes  farther  from  the  home 
land,  naturally  drifting  apart  by  himself. 

It  is  surprising  with  what  ferocity  and  cour- 
age the  wild  boar  meets  an  attack,  and  with 
what  ease  he  wards  it  off.  Because  of  courage 
and  fierceness  the  wild  hog  has  from  the  earliest 
ages  been  the  favorite  sport  with  all  classes 
and  conditions  of  society.  Particularly  is  this 
true  with  the  nobility  of  England  and  Germany. 
When  Rome  was  at  her  supreme  height  the  wild 
hog  entered  largely  into  the  sports  and  fights 
of  the  times.  The  wild  hog  of  to-day,  while  his 
numbers  are  small  and  his  territory  very  limited, 
remains  true  to  his  ancestry  and  habits.  He 
has  lost  neither  his  strength  nor  his  endurance, 
and  when  chased  by  hunters  and  sportsmen 
the  most  powerful  horses  are  necessary,  else 
they  will  be  distanced  in  the  chase. 

The  domestic  pig  may  degenerate  and  be- 
come wild  and  grisly,  yet  he  never  takes  up  to 
the  fullest  extent  the  habits  of  his  ancestor,  who 
"walks  the  glade  in  savage,  solitary  grandeur." 

Despite  the  fierceness  of  the  wild  hog,  every 
people  appreciates  his  racial  worth. 

I.  Long  a  Source  of  Food 
The  hog  has  been  the  principal  quadruped 
in  the  South  Sea  Islands,  and  more  carefully 
cultivated  there  than  any  other  animal.  For 
a  long  time  he  was  used  as  a  most  precious 
sacrifice  to  the  deities.  The  hog  is  recorded 
as  sacred  on  the  island  of  Crete  also.  We  are 
told  that  the  Greeks  at  the  beginning  of  harvest 
time  sacrificed  a  hog  to  Ceres,  and  at  the 
beginning  of  vintage  a  hog  was  sacrificed  to 
Bacchus.  As  meat,  hog  flesh  has  long  been 
esteemed ;  this  is  plainly  indicated  by  the 
many  allusions  of  great  authors.  The  hog 
entered  largely  into  the  diet  of  the  Romans, 


202 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


and  all  sorts  of  practices  were  employed  to 
impart  delicate  flavor  to  the  flesh.  Pliny  in- 
forms us  that  old,  dried  figs,  drenched  with 
honey  and  wine,  were  employed  as  a  means  of 
enlarging  the  liver,  so  choice  a  dish  was  it 
considered  by  Roman  palates.  It  has  been 
said  also  that  the  Romans  often  served  hogs 
whole,  one  side  being  roasted  and  the  other  side 
boiled.  Further  still  was  this  carried  by  stuff- 
ing the  dressed  animal  with  larks  and  nightin- 
gales and  delicacies  of  all  sorts,  and  serving 
with  wine  and  rich  gravies.  We  can  imagine 
how  delicious  this  dish  must  have  been  b\'  com- 
paring it  with  those  barbecues  and  Brunswick 
stews  so  well  known  by  our  country  people. 


Germany  and  France  have  also,  frf)m  times 
immemorial,  depended  upon  the  pig  for  food  ; 
while  in  Ireland,  especially  among  the  poorer 
classes,  the  pig  is  often  the  chief  source  of 
profit  and  the  "  gintleman  that  pays  the  rint." 
The  early  pig  stock  of  our  country  and  of  the 
states  to  the  south  of  us  came  first  by  the 
importations  of  the  ear!_\-  Spanish  e.xplorers. 
The  first  ships  that  landed  on  our  shores 
brought  swine  ;  from  this  early  stock  the  pig 
in  America  has  come,  its  habitat  spreading  in  a 
short  time  to  the  whole  land.  Since  those  days 
of  exportation  and  adventure  improved  hogs 
of  manv  breeds  have  been  imported,  especially 
from  England,  but  from  other  countries  as  well. 


A  Drove  of  Hoes  ix  Ohio 


and    which    possess    rich    and    delicate    flavors 
never  equaled  by  other  domestic  animals. 

We  ha\-e,  on  the  authority  of  Varro,  the 
statement  that  the  Gauls  raised  the  largest 
and  finest  swine  flesh  that  was  brought  into 
Italy  during  those  early  days.  This  is  of 
interest  in  connection  with  the  fact  that  the 
Italians  and  ancient  Spaniards  kept  large  droves 
of  swine,  which  formed  the  principal  part  of 
their  lix'e  stock.  In  those  early  days  swine  were 
common  in  Greece  and  in  adjoining  islands. 
While  the  Jews  and  the  followers  of  Mohammed 
have  always  abstained  from  swine  flesh,  nearly 
all  other  peoples  have  found  the  pig  of  con- 
siderable  importance  in  their  food  supplies. 
This  is  true  of  the  ancient  Britons.  Good 
meat    was     supplied     chiefly    from    the    hog. 


II.    The   Pig  in  the  Oi,d  World 

Throughout  the  Old  World  the  pig  abomids, 
its  highest  development  being  attained  by 
English  breeders.  At  the  present  time  it  is 
almost  universally  raised,  and  with  some  nations 
is  the  principal  meat  supply. 

In  almost  all  jjarts  of  Asia  swine  ma\-  be 
found,  —  in  Siam,  Cochin  China,  Burma,  and 
other  southern  countries.  Here  is  found  the 
celebrated  Chinese  hog  that  has  been  imported 
into  many  other  countries,  and  which  is  noted 
for  its  small  size,  fine  head  and  snout,  compact, 
deep  carcass,  large  hams  and  shoulders,  fine 
bone,  hair,  and  skin,  and  sweet,  delicate  meat. 

Travelers  tell  us  that  the  Chinese  treat  their 
animals  very  kindly.  It  is  given  on  the  author- 
ity of  one  of  our  prominent  men  that  the  pig 


THE    PIG 


203 


is  not  driven  but  carried  from  place  to  place 
in  a  kind  of  cradle,  or  basket  hung  on  a  pole 
between  two  men  ;  and  as  swine  are  often  ob- 
stinate when  about  to  enter  these  cradles,  "the 
heathen  Chinee,"  it  is  said,  sometimes  adopts  a 
peculiar  mode  of  loading.  This  is  accomplished 
by  placing  the  pig  in  front  of  the  pen,  when  the 
owner  vigorously  pulls  at  the  pig's  tail  and  in 
the  spirit  of  opposition  the  animal  darts  into 
the  desired  place.  At  the  end  of  the  journey 
he  is  driven  out  by  spitting  in  his  face. 

Turkey,  Syria,  Persia,  and  Arabia  have 
each  different  varieties  of  pigs,  iron-gray,  black, 
or  brown  in  color,  the  bodies  small  and  round 
in  shape  and  of  no  great  size.  They  are  not 
raised  in  any  great  numbers,  however, 
because  of  the  nature  of  the  soil  and  of 
the  prevalence  of  the  Mohammedan  reli- 
gion, which  forbids  the  use  of  swine  flesh. 

Swine  are  scarce  in  Africa  and  of  little 
value  e.xcept  in  the  northern  part,  where 
there  is  bred  a  reddish  hog  of  good  size 
and  of  rather  square  form.  This  breed, 
known  as  "Guinea,"  has  been  imported 
into  Brazil  and  into  other  countries. 

The  Malta  pig  is  black  and  of  small 
stature  ;  the  skin  is  smooth,  the  hair  fine 
and  almost  wanting.  The  quality  of  the 
flesh  is  good  and  of  delicate  taste.  Spain  has 
but  few  varieties,  and  these  are  somewhat 
similar  to  the  Chinese,  from  which  stock  they 
have  probably  sprung.  Italy  is  noted  for  her 
pigs.  The  Maltese  and  Neapolitan  are  both 
of  rather  small  size,  but  are  of  good  quality 
and  flavor.  These  breeds  are  small  and  nearly 
destitute  of  hair;  they  are  easily  fattened,  and 
because  of  their  quality  they  have  been  sought 
in  other  countries,  where  they  are  used  in  the 
creation  of  other  breeds. 

The  hog  stock  of  France  and  Germany  is 
much  inferior  to  our  own  or  the  English  breeds, 
the  common  stock  being  long-legged,  gaunt, 
coarse,  and  uncouth,  resembling  the  wild  boar 
in  form,  but  lacking  the  flavor  and  quality  of 
the  latter.  Improved  varieties,  however,  are 
found  in  both  countries. 

England  ranks  first  in  the  improvement  of 
swine.      Our    best    breeds    have    come    from 


England,  or  have  been  built  uj)  from  the  old 
English  stock.  Foreign  and  native  breeds 
entered  into  the  formation  of  noted  English 
breeds  of  hogs,  but  the  improvement  has  been 
effected  there  by  careful,  painstaking  breeders. 
Of  present  English  breeds  the  Yorkshire,  large 
and  small,  has  many  admirers  and  is  gain- 
ing constantly  in  favor.  The  large  breed  was 
improved  by  an  introduction  of  blood  of  the 
white  Leicester,  an  old  slab-sided  but  large 
native  hog ;  and  further  improved  by  the 
introduction  of  blood  of  the  improved  white 
hogs  at  "Castle  Howard."  The  improved 
Esse.x  is  at  present  a  popular  breed  both  in 
England  and  America.     It  is  the  product  of  a 


FiCS    .AT    HoMlC 

cross  between  the  old  Essex  and  the  Neapoli- 
tan, which  was  commenced  by  Lord  Western 
in  1839. 

III.    The  Pig  in  America 

It  naturally  follows,  since  the  hog  is  not  a 
native  of  this  continent,  that  the  ancestors  of 
our  many  families  and  breeds  must  have  been 
imported.  They  found  here  a  land  of  corn  and 
clover,  two  foods  which  the  hog  likes  and  which 
when  fed  to  him  produce  quick  and  profitable 
returns. 

The  first  pigs  that  influenced  the  earlier 
inferior  stock  in  way  of  improvement  were  a 
pair  sent  by  the  Duke  of  Bedford  to  General 
Washington.  This  pair  was  never  delivered, 
however,  but  kept  by  the  English  farmer  who 
brought  them  over,  who  leased  a  farm  and  be- 
gan the  breeding  of  these  choice  animals.  De- 
scendants of  this  pair  were  used  largely  in  the 


204 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


improvement  of  the  common  stock,  and  were 
known  as  the  "Woburn"  or  "Bedford"  breed, 
a  splendid  one  at  the  time  but  since  absorbed 
in  other  breeds. 

The  Berkshire  enjoys  the  distinction  of  a  very 
ancient  lineage.  Formerly  it  was  reddish  in 
color  with  small  black  spots  ;  this  color  gave 
way  to  one  more  becoming  the  breed  —  black. 
The  Berkshire  in  its  early  days  was  greatly 
improved  by  Chinese  and  Siamese  blood,  and 
later  by  that  of  the  Neapolitan  race,  receiving 
from  this  latter  breed  its  fine  hair  and  skin,  its 
rich  plum  color,  and  its  delicate  taste. 

The  Poland-China  is  one  of  the  most  popular 
breeds  in  the  United  States,  especially  through- 
out the  Middle  West,  where  corn  and  pork 
production  go  so  well 
together.  The  Poland- 
China  is  strictly  an 
American  breed,  per- 
haps the  most  famous 
of  the  breeds  that  have 
been  established  in 
America.  This  hog 
originated  in  south- 
western Ohio,  in  the 
comities  bordering  on 
the  Miami  river,  the 
common  stock  of  the  county  being  its  basis. 

Many  breeds  —  the  Big  China,  Russian,  Be- 
held, Poland,  Bedford,  and  Berkshire  —  contrib- 
uted to  the  perfection  of  this  great  j^ork-and-lard 
type  of  hogs.  In  color  the  Poland-China  is 
spotted,  black  and  white  ;  in  size  and  form  the 
breed  is  similar  to  the  Berkshire,  except  that 
its  frame  is  slightly  larger  and  stronger ;  the 
ear  falls  over  the  eye,  while  in  the  Berkshire  it 
is  short,  pointed,  and  straight. 

Both  the  Poland-China  and  the  Berkshire 
are  c[uick-maturing  and  profitable  pork-making 
machines.  These  two  breeds  are  more  widely 
diffused  over  the  United  States  than  any  others. 

The  Duroc -Jersey  is  also  an  American-pro- 
duced breed.  Its  breeding  qualities  are  good, 
superior  to  those  of  either  the  Berkshire  or  the 
Poland-China.  Its  color  is  reddish  or  reddish 
and  white.  Duroc-Jerseys  are  quiet  and  good 
feeders,  take  well  to  grazing  and  to  corn,  and 


GR.\Mi-Cii.\>n'ioN  T.^MWoRTii  Roar  .wn  .Sow 


produce  meat  of  good  quality  that  has  a  fair 
proportion  of  lean  meat. 

The  Chester-White  is  in  the  same  class  as 
the  preceding,  and  is  an  extensively  known 
breed  in  the  United  States.  Hardy,  large, 
prolific,  and  well  adapted  to  our  systems  of 
farming,  it  has  become  popular,  and  deservedly 
so.  As  a  breed  it  was  established  in  Chester 
County,  Pennsylvania,  from  which  place  it 
gets  its  name.  The  hair  is  white  and  thin,  and 
because  of  this  fact  it  is  not  adapted  to  the 
hot  climates  of  the  southern  states,  at  least 
that  is  the  objection  made  to  this  and  to  other 
white  hogs  in  the  South. 

The  Tamworth  breed  has  become  more  or 
less  known  in  the  United  States  during  recent 
years.  While  it  is  true 
that  the  breed  gains 
favor  slowly  here,  it  is 
highly  esteemed  in 
Canada  and  across  the 
water.  The  importance 
of  these  hogs  for  bacon 
gives  them  high  rank 
whenever  animals  are 
wanted  for  this  purpose. 
Among  the  smaller 
breeds  may  be  men- 
tioned the  small  Yorkshire,  a  hog  imported 
from  England ;  the  Victoria  and  the  Che- 
shire, two  breeds  established  by  New  York 
farmers  and  held  now  in  much  favor ;  and 
the  improved  Essex,  black  in  color  and  high 
in  favor  because  of  the  fine  quality  of  its  meat. 

IV.    The  Breed  to  Choose 

It  is  quite  impossible  to  make  a  ranking 
list  of  breeds.  Even  in  the  same  community, 
under  the  same  conditions  and  environments, 
many  breeds  of  hogs  will  be  observed,  show- 
ing that  men  honestly  differ  in  opinion  as  to 
the  merits  and  values  of  our  different  varieties 
of  swine,  as  they  do  in  other  matters  of  life. 
It  follows,  then,  that  taste,  fancy,  and  indi- 
vidual choice  will  govern  in  the  selection  of 
a  breed  of  hogs  or  of  other  animals.  The 
beginner  may  make  many  inquiries  only  to  be 
thrown    back   on  his  own  judgment   at   last ; 


THE    PIG 


205 


and  it  is  well  that  this  is  the  case.  No  one 
breed  is  best  fitted  for  all  conditions,  so  long 
as  bacon  or  lard  or  pork  is  sought  for  itself 
alone,  or  even  sought  in  conjunction  with 
other  secondary  factors.  There  will  be  need 
of  many  breeds  and  of  many  families  of  the 
same  breed. 

After  one  has  selected  the  breed  that 
pleases  him,  he  should  take  pains  to  secure 
breeding  stock  of  good  type,  form,  quality,  and 
constitution.  The  loss  by  disease  is  enormous  ; 
hence  none  but  individuals  of  robust  consti- 
tution should  be  allowed  to  come  on  the  place. 
Once  selected,  keep  the  line  pure.  Much  harm 
has  been  done  by  cross  breeding  and  through 
the    use   of   grade   or   cross-bred    sires.     It    is 


V.  Caring  for  Swine 
The  old  idea  that  hogs  will  shift  for  them- 
selves, while  true  in  effect,  is  a  poor  one  to 
adopt,  since  it  means  small  profits  and  often 
loss.  The  pig  needs  care,  especially  since  he 
has  been  removed  so  far  from  his  old  wild 
life.  And  he  responds  to  civilization  as  will- 
ingly as  any  animal  on  the  farm.  But  one 
cannot  expect  him  to  do  his  best  where  his 
only  drink  is  the  filth  of  the  mudhole,  his 
only  nest  the  manure  pile,  and  his  only  food 
the  leavings  that  all  others  shun. 

Give  him  pure  water  to  drink,  a  clean  bed 
in  which  to  sleep,  and  a  variety  of  food,  and 
he  will  give  greater  profits  than  any  other 
animal  on  the  farm  or  any  crop  you  raise. 


Fkoi'krtv  (IF  0\iui  St.atic  L'snicRsnv 


money  to  one  if  he  will  use  only  pure-bred 
stock  from  the  very  start.  Hogs  are  so  com- 
mon and  herds  of  pure  breeding  so  easily 
available  in  every  community  that  no  diffi- 
culty will  be  encountered  in  starting  right 
and  continuing  right. 

In  selecting  breeding  stock  one  must  bear 
these  points  in  mind:  short  head,  dished  in 
the  forehead,  and  good  width  between  the 
eyes  ;  fine  muzzles,  with  a  short  snout ;  strong, 
bright  eyes ;  drooping  or  upright  ears,  not 
thick  or  coarse  ;  soft,  mellow  skin,  with  fine, 
silky  hair,  somewhat  abundant  but  without 
bristles ;  short,  well-knit,  and  straight  legs, 
standing  well  on  small,  strong  feet ;  full,  long 
body,  square  and  broad,  with  a  straight  back 
and  under  line. 


If  one  has  a  mortgage  on  his  home,  seek 
the  help  of  the  hog  and  he  will  raise  it ;  if 
one  covets  legitimate  things,  seek  first  his  aid 
and  these  things  will  soon  come  ;  if  one  longs 
for  luxuries  he  will  bring  them.  Debts  he 
will  pay,  lands  he  will  improve,  homes  he  will 
enlarge,  children  he  will  educate.  These 
things  the  hog  has  clone  ten  thousand  times, 
and  he  will  do  them  again,  even  better  and 
more  quickly,  if  one  will  but  gi\'e  him  one  half 
of  the  care  and  attention  he  deserves. 

The  hog  makes  good  use  of  the  pasture. 
Give  him  the  run  of  the  clover  field,  for  he  will 
do  no  harm  there,  even  when  placed  among 
cattle,  sheep,  and  horses. 

When  provided  with  good  grazing  no  other 
food    is    required ;    he   will   grow    rapidly   and 


io6 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


have  a  good  account  to  give  of  the  food  he 
has  eaten.  Good,  thrifty  growth,  not  fat, 
is  wanted  while  he  is  small  and  vonng,  for  if 
growth  has   been  secured   he  will   fatten  \ery 


Fr,i-.i>ix(i  Pif.s 

quickly  and  on  a  small  amount  of  food.  The 
mistake  is  often  made  of  feeding  an  e.xclusive 
ration  of  corn.  Corn  is  heating  and  fattening 
in  effect,  and  until  he  has  left  pighood  days 
corn  is  an  improper  food  to  give  him,  espe- 
cially as  an  e.xclusive  diet.  In  his  early  days 
protein,  the  muscle  maker,  should  enter  largely 
into  his  diet.  When  given  the  freedom  of  the 
pasture  or  clover  field  this  important  food 
element  is  supplied  to  his  delight  and  advan- 
tage. When  he  has  reached  the  age  of  seven 
or  eight  months  he  may  be  brought  in  from 
the  pasture  and  inclosed  in  a  small  feeding  lot 
where  pure  water,  soft  coal,  and  ashes  should 
be  furnished  in  connection  with  corn.  A  few 
weeks  of  feeding,  small  quantities  at  first,  will 
bring  him  to  the  close  of  his  days,  when  he 
should  be  ready  for  market  or  to  be  slaughtered. 
Hogs  of  good  breeding  will  readily  weigh  two 
hundred  and  fifty  pounds  when  nine  months 
old,  if  they  have  been  provided  with  good 
pasture  and   reasonably  good  care. 

\1.    FEEDiNr,  Young  Pigs 

As  soon  as  young  pigs  begin  to  eat  provide 
a  shallow  trough  and  place  it  where  it  is  not 
accessible  to  the  mother  or  older  pigs.  Give 
some  kind  of  slop  —  milk  and  shorts  is  best 
—  each  day.  Quick  growth  follows  this  treat- 
ment  and   with   paying    results.     The   trough 


must  be  kept  clean,  and  an  occasional  thorough 
disinfecting  will  be  desirable,  not  only  for  the 
trough  but  for  the  pigs  as  well.  Clean  sleei^- 
ing  quarters  contribute  their  share  to  health, 
vigor,  and  rapid  gains.  If  pasture  is  available, 
turn  the  mother  and  her  young  into  it  ;  little 
of  any  kind  of  food  other  than  gnod  pasture 
grass  will  be  needed. 

The  writer  has  followed  a  plan  for  grazing 
hogs  that  has  proved  very  successful.  Eight 
one-half  acre  lots  are  provided,  the  lots  being 
three  rods  in  width  and  correspondingly  long. 
In  August  one  lot  is  seeded  to  rye,  which 
makes  good  winter  grazing ;  in  September  the 
second  lot  is  seeded  to  rye,  which  also  makes 
good  winter  grazing  ;  in  October  the  remaining 
lots  are  seeded  to  r\e  for  spring  grazing.  The 
first  r\'e  lot  is  succeeded  by  cowpeas,  planted 
as  soon  as  spring  will  permit,  and  then  through 
the  spring  and  early  summer  the  other  lots 
follow  on  in  rapid  succession  with  cowpeas. 
By  this  system  winter,  spring,  and  summer 
grazing  are  available,  and  provided  with  little 
labor,  trouble,  or  expense. 

The  great  point  in  the  management  of 
\-oung  pigs  is  to  keep  them  growing  from  the 
da\-  of  birth  to  the  dav  they  are   slaughtered 


Mother  Hog  .and  Little  Ones 

or  sold.  If  thrifty  and  active  thev  w'ill  grow 
rapidly  ;  if  strong  and  vigorous  they  will  be 
more  likely  to  throw  off  disease  if  it  attacks 
them,  or,  what  is  better,  never  get  it  at  all. 


THE    PIG 


20 


/ 


Our  best  hog  raisers  give  their  animals  the 
full  freedom  of  the  fields  as  much  as  is  pos- 
sible, that  they  may  obtain  the  grasses  they 
like,  the  exercise  they  need,  and  the  cleanli- 
ness that  means  so  much  for  health  and  vigor. 
We  must  remember  that  the  prevention  of 
disease  is  safer  than  remedies,  and  especially 
is  this  true  of  the  hog.  Clean  pens,  exercise, 
pasture  grazing,  and  variety  in  food  are  all- 
important  in  successful   management. 

The  hog,  if  we  regard  the  great  number  of 
people  who  receive  food  from  its  flesh,  occu- 
pies, it  is  seen,  a  most  important  place  in  the 
domestic  economy  of  all  civilized  countries. 
Swine  flesh  is  wholesome  and  nutritive,  and 
from  its  ready  reception  of  salt  it  is  better 
fitted  for  preservation  than  that  of  any  other 
animal.  It  is  fitted,  therefore,  for  sea  voyages, 
for  use  in  country  districts  where  fresh  meats 


are  not  at  all  times  available,  and  for  all  uses 
where  meat  is  desired  but  obtainable  only  many 
seasons  after  being  slaughtered ;  for  these, 
and  many  other  purposes,  this  kind  of  meat  is 
eminently  adapted. 

It  forms  not  only  a  large  portion  of  the 
animal  food  consumed  by  inhabitants  of  other 
continents  but  also  enters  largely  into  our  own 
dietaries  ;  and  from  the  facility  with  which  it 
may  be  raised  by  the  humble  villager  or 
laborer  as  well  as  by  the  breeder  on  a  larger 
scale,  it  has  been  aptly  styled  the  poor  man's 
stock.  Beyond  any  other  animal  the  hog  mul- 
tiplies with  great  rapidity  ;  he  is  reared  with 
ease,  and  with  little  expense  he  is  brought  to 
maturitv,  so  that  it  seems  an  error  for  any 
farmer  to  disregard  this  domestic  animal,  which 
is  and  always  will  be  a  source  of  household 
economy  and  comfort. 


VIII 
CATTLE 


I.  The  Bull,  the  Ox,  and  the  Cow 

These  horned  beasts  belong  to  an  important 
group  of  domestic  animals,  if  not  from  all 
points  of  view,  at  an\-  rate  from  that  of  their 
utility  to  man.  In  fact  no  domestic  animal 
contributes  so  much  to  man's  welfare  as  the 
cow  and  her  kind.  She  gives  us  milk,  our 
most  important  food,  to  drink;  she  provides 
us  with  butter  and  cheese,  both  wholesome 
and  rich  in  food  nutriments  ;  her  flesh  enters 
largely  into  our  dietaries  ;  the  leather  made  of 
her  hide  covers  our  feet  and  provides  us  with 
necessities  and  luxuries  in  other  directions  ; 
and  finally  her  bones,  blood,  and  <.)ffal  fertilize 
our  gardens  and  fields. 

This  race,  together  with  the  sheep  and  the 
goat,  forms  part  of  the  great  family  of  rumi- 
nants, the  members  of  which  differ  very  little 


thought  to  be  a  descendant  of  the  iirus  exist- 
ing in  Caesar's  day,  and  French  beeves  are 
supposed  to  be  descended  from  the  bison.  The 
Podolian  nr  Hungarian  o.\,  whitish  gray  with 
long    horns,    and    of    immense    height,    which 


....A-  ^^1 

^^m 

ji^^     '    f" 

^tk--^^*^^m 

■M^ 

Nf     k 

^^^t^'"^^*'"' -■-^TT^fc'^B 

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9^   j^H^^^^^^^^ljiV^"'l  ' 

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tj 

s,2^ 

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■^^— 

VtosJl 

Cow  WITH  Uneven  Horns 

draws  the  heaviest  loads  over  hundreds  of  miles, 
is  related  to  the  great  white  oxen  of  Italy, 
Spain,  and  Algeria  mentioned  by  Varro. 

It  is,  however,  difficult  to  determine  at  what 
period  the  race  appeared  in  Europe.  We  find 
it  by  the  side  of  man  in  all  peoples  and  tribes 
as  they  issued  from  barbarism.  The  Egyptians 
utilized  it  thousands  of  years  ago  ;  in  fact  they 
had  such  respect  for  certain  bulls  that  they 
worshiped  them  as  gods.  The  Chinese  and 
from  one  another  in  the  conformation  of  their  the  Japanese,  civilized  nations  while  Europe 
teeth  and  stomachs.  The  bovines  form  a  sub-  was  still  in  its  swaddling  clothes,  also  used 
division  of  the  class  of  horned  beasts  by  reason  oxen  as  draft  animals  thousands  of  years  ago, 
of  their  horns  being  hollow.  and  do  so  still,  just  as  we  do.     After  Europe 

This  race  (bos  tatinis)  must  have  had  many      became  civilized  we  find  bulls  or   oxen  serv- 
ancestors.    For    instance,    the    Frisian    ox    is     ing   as    reproducers    of    their    species    or   as 

20.S 


Two  Orph.ans 


CATTLE 


209 


beasts  for  agricultural  labor,  while  cows  were 
everywhere  valued  for  their  milk  and  meat. 
As  furnishing  amusement  bulls  are  now  used 


NoHMAX   Milch  C<i\v 

only  in  Spain  for  bullfights  and  in  the  south 
of  France  for  the  famous  "  bull  races." 

The  bull  or  the  draft  ox,  properly  so  called, 
no  matter  to  what  species  he  belongs,  bears, 
as  a  general  thing,  the  following  type  :  a  large 
head,  the  nape  of  the  neck  very  broad,  the 
legs  long  and  sinewy,  the  hind  quarters 
strongly  developed,  and  the  muscles  visible 
under  a  relatively  thin  skin.  His  shape  is 
long  and  angular. 

The  animal  intended  for  the  shambles  is, 
on  the  contrary,  square  in  form,  with  rounded 
outlines.  Its  whole  exterior  shows  massive- 
ness  ;  the  head  is  narrow,  the  neck  short  and 
thick,  the  tail  narrow,  and  the  line  of  the 
back  completely  horizontal.  Seen  in  front  or 
behind  the  draft  ox  presents  a  narrov.',  thick- 
set body  on  long  legs,  while  viewed  in  the  same 
manner  the  animal  for  butchering  presents  a 
body  somewhat  square -like  in  form,  with  ap- 
parently short  legs. 

II.    The  Cow 

The  cow  (bos  taunts  domcsticus)  is  stolid 
by  nature  and  very  little  intelligence  appears 
in  the  big,  kindly  eyes  with  which  she  stares, 
in  the  stable  or  in  the  field,  at  young  and  old, 
donkeys  and  trains,  horses  and  boats.  A  single 


occupation  seems  to  absorb  her  thoughts, — that 
of  flicking  off  with  her  tail  the  flies  that  torment 
her  as  she  browses  the  grass  or  chews  the  cud. 
Rumination  is  an  essential  thing  with  her, 
though  she  does  it  when  half  asleep  ;  essen- 
tial, that  is,  for  the  stomach  of  all  ruminants, 
which  is  composed  of  four  parts,  —  the  riiincn, 
the  rcticnliini,  the  oinasitm,  and  the  abomasmn. 
After  being  triturated  and  partly  digested  in 
the  first  stomach,  or  rumen,  the  insufficiently 
digested  food   is  returned  to  the  oesophagus 
and  thence  into  the  mouth,  where  it  is  mixed 
with  the  saliva  secreted  by  the  salivary  glands 
as  the  cow  chews  it,  after  which  she  passes 
the  cud    downward    to    its   destination.     The 
cow  has  eight   teeth  in    the  lower  jaw ;    the 
upper  jaw  appears  to  have  none,  and  persons 
ignorant  of  cattle  would  doubtless  think  so, 
but  a  connoisseur  would  tell  them  to  "feel  " 
the  teeth.    They  then  find  a  cartilaginous  edge 
to  the  upper  jaw  which  takes  the  place  of  front 
teeth,  while  at  the  two  sides  of  the  jaw  at  the 


Maternal  Cares 

Photo  C.  W.  Reid 

back  are  six  large  and  very  sharp  teeth.  The  car- 
tilaginous front  edge  is  far  more  useful  for  nip- 
ping off  the  grass  than  a  row  of  teeth  would  be. 
To  the  owner  of  milch  cows  the  production  of 
milk  is  naturally  of  the  greatest  importance. 


2IO 


DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


In  all  the  females  of  the  bovine  race  the  milk 
is  separated  by  glands.  It  is  composed  of  a 
white,  opaque  substance  in  which  small  glob- 
ules of  fat  are  floating.    The  two  chief  glands 


French  Steer 

form  the  udder,  and  for  the  cattle  breeder  much 
depends  on  the  position  of  the  teats,  and  also 
on  the  roundness  and  volume  of  the  udder,  for 
milch  cows  that  are  otherwise  equal  in  conform- 
ation and  in  appearance  will  show  great  differ- 
ences in  their  production  of  milk.  There  are 
some  first-class  cows  that  can  give  as  much  as 
twenty-four  quarts  of  milk  a  day.  Others  give 
twenty,  ten,  and  even  less,  although  they  are 
normal  in  shape,  healthy  in  bod}-,  and  in  proper 
dairy  condition. 

The  first  milk  drawn,  which  is  for  the  calf, 
is  clear  and  yellow.  It  is  useful  in  clearing 
from  the  stomach  of  the  little  animal  various 
substances  that  are  in  him  when  he  enters  the 
world.  The  greatest  production  of  milk  is 
made  when  the  cow  is  from  five  to  ten  years 
old,  but  it  is  a  mistake  to  think  that  the  milk 
of  a  cow  which  produces  much  is  the  best. 
Those  furnishing  a  medium  quantity  daily  may 
give  richer  milk  ;  that  of  some  cows,  however, 
is  always  poor.  The  quantity  of  the  milk 
naturally  depends  much  on  food  and  on  the 
condition  of  the  pasturage,  while   the  quality 


is  hereditary  like  color  or  form  or  breed.  This 
explains  why  the  cattle  of  meadow  and  grass 
lands  are  so  celebrated,  and  why  the  industries 
of  butter  and  cheese  making  fiourish  in  those 
regions. 

An  examination  of  the  ex- 
terior of  the  bovine  race  shows 
that  it  exhibits  a  vast  variety 
of  color.  Black,  yellow,  brown, 
reddish  brown,  black-spotted, 
and  white  cows  give  to  a  land- 
scape full  of  cattle  a  rich  and 
varied  character.  Color  has 
become  a  fixed  character  in 
many  breeds  ;  as,  for  instance, 
the  black  and  white  of  the  Hol- 
stein,  the  black  of  the  Angus 
and  the  Galloway,  the  red  and 
white  of  the  Ayrshire  and  the 
Hereford,  the  fawn  and  brown 
f)f  the  Jersey,  and  the  yellow 
and  brown  of  the  Guernsey. 

Many  cattle  raisers  prefer 
to  have  animals  all  of  one  color 
rather  than  of  many  colors  and  of  many  breeds. 
It  is  only  by  following  fixed  lines  of  breeding 
that  the  greatest  success  will  be  attained.  To 
do  this  is  neither  difficult  nor  expensive,  and 
is  far  more  satisfactory  than  a  practice  of  in- 
discriminate breeding,  which  is  so  common 
throughout  the  land. 

Cows,  as  well  as  bulls  and  oxen,  usually  have 
two  hollow  horns  on  their  head,  which  form 


Jlf' ■'■-■* 


In  Al.ab.a.ma 


their  weapons  of  offense.  The  horns  of  certain 
breeds  are  strongly  developed  and  very  long ; 
others  are  without  horns,  and  butt  with  their 


CATTLE 


211 


JjM 

i 

1 

ig 

P" 

r 

1 

^^^^^^^^^1 

a 

F 

» 

•^^. 

9 

^^^^^^^^^^^^g«2itaF-             ^ 

la 

■■ 

^^ 

^^^^^^^^^^ 

3 

Good  Draft  Oxen 


heads  in  self-defense.    These  blows  are  some-  animal  will  not  only  strike  with  his  horns  but 

times  extremely  powerful,  and  numerous  acci-  he  will  also  toss  his  victim  in  the  air,  and  if  he 

dents   have   taught    us  the  danger  from  bulls  can  get  at  him  will  use  his  horns,  as  a  horse 

when    excited    to   ansjer.     At    such    times    the  does  his  hoofs,  to  bruise  him. 


RUMIN  ATIN'G 
Photii  C.  W.  Keid 


212 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Bui  1  ,  I-  HI  -NCH  BuF-iin 

If  we  glance  at  the  exterior 
of  the  cow  we  shall  see  that 
just  as  the  draft  ox  differs 
from  the  ox  intended  for 
slaughter  so  the  milch  cow 
differs  greatly  in  appearance 
from  the  cow  kept  for  the 
shambles.  Generally  the 
milkers  are  not  fattened  until 
later;  those  for  butchering 
have  abundant  fat  upon  their 
sides.  The  flesh  ought  to  be 
solid  and  elastic,  mellow  and 
yet  firm.  If  pressed  upon, 
the  mark  of  the  pressure 
ought  to  disappear  quickl}-. 
The  tender  flesh  for  meal 
will  be   found  on   those  parts  of 


where  there  was  least  movement  during  its  life; 
for  instance,  the  loins,  the  sides,  and  the  por- 
tion of  the  back  just  above  the  tail.  The  parts 
of  least  value  are  about  the  head,  neck,  and 
legs. 

III.    The  D.mrv  Type 

The  milch  cow  should  have  a  very  soft,  mellow 
skin  and  fine,  silky  hair.  The  head  should  be 
narrow  and  long,  with  great  width  between  the 
eyes.  This  last-mentioned  characteristic  is  an 
indication  of  great  nervous  force,  an  important 
c|uality  for  the  heavy  milker.  The  neck  of  a 
good  dairy  cow  is  long  and  thin  ;   the  shoulders 


are  thin  and  lithe,  and  narrow  at  the  top  ;  the 
back  is  open,  thin,  and  tapering  toward  the  tail; 
the  hips  are  wide  apart,  and  covered  with  l^ut 
little  meat.  The  good  cow  is  also  thin  in  the 
region  of  the  thigh  and  flank,  but  very  deep 
through  the  stomach  girth,  made  so  by  long,  open 
ribs.  The  udder  is  large,  attached  well  forward 
on  the  abdomen  and  high  behind.  It  should  be 
lull  but  not  fleshy.  The  lacteal  or  milk  veins 
ought  also  to  be  large,  and  extended  considerably 
toward  the  front  legs. 

Milch  cattle,  which  were  formerly  judged  only 
by  their  external  appearance,  are  now  required 
to  fulfill  demands  of  breeding  based  on  careful 
and  precise  notes  made  from  generation  to 
generation  and  recorded  in  books  of  genealogy 


CATTLE 


213 


or  in  a  herd  registry.  These  are  now  kept  by 
breeders'  associations  in  all  natinns.  In  these 
books  every  bull  and  every  cow  that  is  registered 
has  its  number.  Some  associations  also  have 
records  of  good  and  bad  quahties,  of  character- 
istic traits,  and  of  changes  occurring  from  time 
to  time,  which  form  a  basis  of  schedule  for  the 
cattle  ;  all  countries  in  our  day  follow  this  plan. 
These  books  are  guarantees  for  the  bu)-er ;  they 
have,  moreover,  a  general  interest  for  the  public 
health  and  for  the  milk  trade,  and  they  furnish 
invaluable  data  for  commerce. 


■ 

^\- 

■^  4^  ' 

r,p.»                ,  V     • 

M 

A  Fine  Dutch  Bull 

them.  The  chief  breeds  are  those  of  Fries- 
land,  Groningen,  and  northern  and  south- 
ern Holland. 

The  cattle  of  Fricsland  have  long  bodies, 
the  loins  and  shoulders  well  filled  out.  The 
udder  of  the  cow  is  remarkable  for  size, 
and  the  production  of  milk  is  very  great. 
The  qualities  of  this  breed  are  highly  valued 
e\'erywhere,  and  many  of  the  cattle  have 
been  brought  to  our  country,  where  to- 
da}'  they  are  found  in  nearly  every  state. 
They  are  of  large  size,  black  and  white  in 
color,  and  popular  because  of  their  abun- 
dant milk  supply.  The  genealogical  book 
of  Holstein-Friesian  cattle  demands  the 
following  characteristics :  skin  soft  and 
lax  ;  head  delicate  and  short ;  large  eyes, 
large  nostrils,  and  drooping  horns  bent 
slightlv  forward  ;    chest   broad  and  deep  ; 


MiLKINI,    Cows    IN    Fk.ANCE 

IV.    Breeds  of  C.vttle 

There  are  a  great  number  of  breeds  of  cattle 
in  different  parts  of  the  world,  so  many  that  we 
can  mention  but  a  few  here, —  the  important  ones 
that  contribute  primarily  to  our  own  cattle  stock 
and  that  comprise  the  millions  of  herds  scattered 
all  over  our  land,  on  hillside  and  river  bottom,  on 
mountain  and  plain,  on  good  lands  and  poor. 

Dutch  cattle,  which  form  with  those  of  Fries- 
land  and  the  shores  of  the  North  Sea  a  race  apart, 
have  a  good  reputation  everywhere.  For  that 
reason  we  begin  our  short  survey  of  races  with 


A   WiNNKK    IN    Tnl(Ki;-Yi:.\K-Ol-I)    Cl.ASS    -AT 

St.akk  County  F.air 


214 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


sides  long  and  gently  rounded  ;  back  straight,  being  the  best  of  the  countr}',  although  not 
and  if  possible  a  broad  and  level  rump  ;  mouth  watered  bv  many  rivers.  The  color  of  this  breed 
wide;  tail  long,  covered  with  fine  hairs;  flanks      is  usually  black  with  some  white  mingled  in  it 


Tea.m  of  Four  Oxen  in  the  Nivernais 


deep  and  full,  with  a  capacious  flexible  udder 
and  large  milk  \'eins. 

TIic  Groiiingcn  coiv  is  usually  black,  and  is 
good  either  for  milking  or  for  butchering.  She 
is  small,  with  a  broad  forehead,  very  large 
crupper,  and  long  legs. 

Tlic  cattle  of  iiorthcjii  and  soutlicni  Holland 
are  like  those  of  Friesland,  but  rounder  in  boil)- 


These  cattle  and  those  from  Friesland  compose 
the  flolstein-F"riesian  race  of  our  country. 

Dutch  cows  on  sandy  soils  are  small,  angular 
in  shape,  and  poor  milkers.  In  this  they  yield 
to  the  English  breeds,  especially  to  that  of  the 
Jersey,  which  is  well  known  and  exported  the 
world  over.  After  the  Jersey  comes  the  Guern- 
sey, a  breed   not   so  widely  distributed  in   the 


»^''-* 

;>»*^ 


viiii^-llliiflihstlSI 


In  Alabama 


and  thus  more  inclined  to  be  meaty.  Neverthe-  United  States,  but  still  well  known  and  popular, 
less  their  production  of  milk  is  abundant,  the  and  the  Kerry  of  Ireland.  So  far  but  few  herds 
meadows    of   Holland,  both  north  and  south,      of  Kerry  cattle  exist  on  this  side  of  the  water. 


CATTLE 


215 


Our  magnificent  breeds  of 
Jersey  an:'.  Guernsey  cattle  are 
the  direct  descendants  of  cattle 
imported  from  the  Channel 
islands  or  of  those  bred  in  this 
country. 

The  business  of  importing 
cattle  of  these  and  other  breeds 
has  been  an  important  one  in 
years  past,  and  is  not  incon- 
siderable at  the  present  time. 

The  Guernsey  is   slightly 
larger  than  the  Jersey  and 
perhaps  a  little   more   robust. 
Both  give  very  rich  milk,  but 
not  so  much  as  the  Holstein-F'riesian  or  the  Ajr- 
s/iirc,  the  imported  cow  from  Scotland.    This 
last-named  breed  is  hardy  and  robust  —  ideal 
in   this    respect.     In   size 
she   ranks   between   the 
Jersey  and  the  Holstein. 
Being  red  or  white,  or  a 
mixture   of   the   two,   the 
Ayrshire  is   not  only  at- 
tractive and  popular 
because  of  her  form  and 
color  but  also  because  of 
her  high  merits  as  a  pro- 
ducer of  milk  and  cheese. 

Another  foreign  breed 
that  hasattracted  the 
American   farmer   is   the 

Brozoii  Szviss  of  Switzerland.  These  are  mouse- 
colored,  rugged  animals  ;  some  are  good  milk- 
ers, but  many  are  indifferent  when  compared 


Groningen  Bull 


Cornells  .\X\"I  I,  Celebrated  Dutch  Milch  Cow- 


Goon  Dutch  P.astur.age 

with  the  heavy-milking  Holsteins  or  abundant 
butter-making  Jerseys  or  Guernseys. 

We  should  not  be  doing  justice  to  the  Devon 
cow  were  we  to  omit  her 
from  this  list.  She  came 
early  to  our  land  from 
England  and  for  a  century 
has  been  a  loyal  helper 
in  the  building  up  of  this 
country.  Till  recent  years 
this  breed  took  the  place 
of  horses  on  many  farms  : 
cleared  the  land  and 
plowed  it;  hauled  the 
trees  over  fields  of  snow 
and  rough  roads  that  lum- 
ber might  be  sawed  ;  and 
not  content  with  doing  this  rough  labor  the 
Devon  has  been  also  an  admirable  milch  cow. 
With  the  coming  of  the  improved  special  breeds, 
however,  the  Devon  has  been  displaced  for 
both  milk  and  beef,  and  unless  her  friends 
direct  her  into  one  of  these  channels,  her  race 
will  soon  be  run  ;  but  it  will  be  the  ending  of 
a  glorious  race,  worthy  of  the  magnificent  ani- 
mal the  Devon  has  been. 

T/ic  Diitch-beltcd  coivs  belong  to  the  Hol- 
stein-Friesian  class,  but  are  inferior  to  the 
parent  stock.  The  belt  of  white  around  her 
body  gives  an  attractive  appearance,  but  adds 
nothing  to  her  ability  as  a  milk  producer.  As  a 
competitor  with  our  special  breeds  the  Dutch- 
belted   will    always  be  outclassed  ;    she    must 


2l6 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Friesland  Milch  Cow 

depend    upon    the    fancy    of    the    breeder   for 
popularity  and  for  perpetuati(.)n. 

The  leading  beef  breeds,  as 
we  call  them  in  America,  are 
the  Sliorthoni,  the  Hereford, 
the  Angus,  and  the  Galloivay. 

The  Shortlwrn,  also  known 
as  the  Durliani  breed,  received 
its  first  improvement  from 
England,  the  country  that  has 
given  the  world  so  many  im- 
proved breeds  of  farm  animals. 
Among  the  early  improvers  of 
this  breed  are  the  Colling 
Brothers  of  Ketton,  who  be- 
gan their  work  of  improve- 
ment more  than  a  centur}' 
ago  ;  Thomas  Bates,  a  faithful 
disciple  of  the  Colling 
Brothers,  who  founded  the 
famous  Princess,  Duchess, 
and  Oxford  families  ;  Richard  Booth,  who  to- 
gether with  his  sons  did  so  much  to  lengthen 


the  hind  quarter,  to  fill  up  the  fore  flank,  and 
to  secure  greater  depth  of  flesh,  thus  increasing 
the  value  of  the  carcass ;  and  Amos  Cruik- 
shank,  the  father  of  Scotch  Shorthorns,  who  has 
given  us  a  family  of  Shorthorns  compact  and 
blocky  in  build,  easily  fattened,  and  of  superior 
meat  when  placed  on  the  block. 

Prior  to  1800  few  Shorthorns  were  imported 
to  this  country  ;  since  that  date  many  thousands 
have  been  brought  over  from  their  native  land. 

Nearly  a  million  animals  of  this  breed  have 
already  been  registered  by  the  American 
Shorthorn  Association. 


He.ad  of  Hkuil.and  Bull  "Sir  Audrey" 


Dutch  Calves 

Shorthorns  have  been  unquestionably  the 
most  popular  breed  of  cattle  during  the  past 
century  in  our  country  and  in  many  other 
lands  as  well.  They  are  easily  at  home  under 
most  conditions,  are  of  good  size,  fatten 
reatlily,  and  produce  meat  that  is  tender,  juicy, 
and  nutritious. 

The  Hereford  is  a  descendant  of  one  of 
the  aboriginal  breeds  of  Great  Britain,  and  as 
a  distinct  breed  has  a  long  lineage.  It  is  some- 
times called  the  "White-faced"  breed  because 
of  this  color  characteristic.  Its  presence  to-day 
is  an  indication  of  purity  of  blood. 

The  most  noted  of  the  early  improvers  of 
this  breed  was  Benjamin  Franklin,  who  died  in 
1790.     Like    Bakewell,    Tompkins    improved 


CATTLE 


217 


his  animals  through  the  most  careful  selection 
of  his  breeding  stock. 

The  first  authentic  importation  of  Herefords 
into  this  country  was  made  by  Henry  Clay  in 
1817.  Since  that  time  animals  of  this  breed  ha\e 
been  distributed 
throughout  this  anil 
othercountries.  The 
Hereford  is  a  good 
"  rustler,"  and  has 
long  been  popular 
on  the  plains  and  in 
the  Southwest.  His 
feeding  qualities  are 
good,  as  is  also  his  flesh  when  butchered. 

The  Aberdeen  Angus  has  only  lately  been 
brought  from  Scotland,  but  he  has  already 
become  a  rival  of  other  beef  herds,  finding 
his  greatest  popularity  throughout  the  middle 
western  states ;  at  the  present  time  the  South 
and  Southwest  are  developing  many  herds  of 
this  justly  popular  breed.  In  size  average 
individuals  follow  closely  the  Shorthorns  and 
Herefords  ;    they   mature   rather  early  also,  a 


Granu-Cuaju'ion   Hkrekoku  Bull  ,\nu  C 


they  are  poor  milkers,  but  as  they  are  bred 
only  for  beef  this  is  as  it  should  be. 

The  Galloway  is  also  black  and  hornless 
and  a  very  typical  beef  animal.  He  comes 
from   Scotland,   where   he  was  always  a  good 

rustler  and  hustler 
for  food.  He  is  our 
best  breed  for  the 
o  pen  plains  and 
the  ranges.  When 
slaughtered  his 
meat  ranks  first  in 
competition  with 
that  of  any  breed, 
and  always  commands  the  highest  price  on 
English  and  American  markets. 

V.    The  Beef  Type 

The  beef  cow  is  square  in  shape,  full  and 
broad  over  the  back  and  loins,  and  possesses 
de[3th  and  quality,  especiall)'  in  these  regions. 
The  hips  are  evenly  fleshed,  the  legs  full  and 
thick,  the  under  line  parallel  with  the  straight 
back.     The  neck  is  full   and  short.     The  eye 


Shorthorn  Cattle 


quality  much  desired  in  beef  animals ;  they 
are  fair  grazers,  though  probably  not  quite 
so  good  as  the  Hereford,  and  as  meat  pro- 
ducers they  excel  both  the  Shorthorn  and  the 
Hereford. 

All  Anguses  are  black  in  color  and  hornless, 
blocky  in  shape,  and  compact  with  short  legs  ; 


should  be  bright,  the  face  short,  the  bones  of 
fine  texture,  the  skin  soft  and  pliable,  and  the 
flesh  mellow,  elastic,  and  rich  in  quality. 

The  fact  that  it  is  not  possible  for  every 
farmer  to  possess  pure-bred  cattle  is  no  reason 
why  he  should  not  improve  the  stock  he  has. 
He  can  do  this  by  securing  pure-bred  sires 


218 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Hornless  Cattle 


that  possess  the  characteristics  desired.   Scrub  dairy  cows.    When  cows  are  milked  the  mili< 

stock  can  be  quickly  improved  by  the  contin-  should  be  weighed  and  a  record  kept  of  it.    If 

uous  use  of  good   sires.    It  is   never  wise   to  this  is  done  it  will  be  found   that  some  cows 

use  grade  or  cross-bred  sires,   since   they   do  produce  as   much  as  f)ne   thousand  gallons  or 

not  possess  stable  characteristics.  more,    while    others    produce    not    more    than 

Moreover,  it  is  possible  for  every  farmer  to  one  half  or  even  one  fourth  that  quantity.     If 

determine  exactly  the  producing  power  of  his  a  farmer  will  kill   or  sell  his   poor  cows   and 


I.\  Ohio 


CATTLE 


219 


keep  his  best  ones,  he  will  in  a  short  while 
have  a  herd  of  only  heavy  milkers. 

Young  calves  that  are  to  be  fattened  should 
be  fed  only  such  food  as  will  produce  rapid, 
thrifty  growth,  so  that  they  may  be  gotten  in 
readiness  for  the  market  at  as  early  an  age  as 
possible.   Young  dairy  animals  may  be  fed  any 


In  her  lifetime  she  provides  man  with  one  of 
his  chief  and  best  articles  of  food, —  milk  ;  and 
after  her  death  she  supplies  him  with  more 
meat  than  any  other  animal.  But  that  is  not 
all !  The  skins  of  cows  and  oxen  are  used  for 
many  purposes,  and  form  a  very  considerable 
article  of  commerce,  to  which  they  contribute 


Long-Hurm:i)  li.Ni,i.isii  Bullocks 

Pln)to  C.  W.  Reid 


food  that  insures  thrifty  growth,  but  foods  of 
a  coarse  nature  are  particularly  good,  espe- 
cially such  kinds  as  clover,  alfalfa,  and  cowpea 
hay ;  pasture  grasses,  corn  ensilage,  and  roots, 
being  succulent  and  juicy,  are  also  excellent. 

As  we  have  already  remarked,  the  cow  has 
many  claims  to  be  considered  a  domestic  ani- 
mal, though  from  a  point  of  view  different 
from  those  of  the  dog,  the  horse,  or  the  hen. 


calf-skin  bindings.  The  intestines,  blood,  and 
fat,  not  being  eatable,  are  utilized  in  tech- 
nical manufactures,  and  the  horns,  after  pro- 
ducing trumpets  for  war  and  cups  for  convivial 
friendship,  serve  to  make  a  variety  of  "art 
objects."  The  bones,  ground  and  prepared, 
are  transformed  into  fertilizers,  and  are  also 
bought  by  the  manufacturers  of  glue  and 
frelatine. 


IX 

THE   GALLINACEOUS   TRIBES 


I.    Ix  An'cient  Times 

When  did  poultry  bect)me  domestic  animals  ? 
Probably  before  they  were  brought  from  Asia. 
At  all  events  it  is  from  Asia,  and  especially  from 
her  vast  plains  —  which  still  hide  so  many  of 
Nature's  secrets — that  our  gallinaceous  tribes 
have  come.  The  dog  and  the  cock  were, 
according  to  Zoro- 
aster, sacred  ani- 
mals,—  one  as  the 
guardian  of  the 
house  and  hearth, 
the  other  as  the 
herald  of  the  dawn 
and  thus  the  symbol 
of  light  and  the  sun. 
Consequently  we 
find  Idomeneus  and 
Pasiphac,  descend- 
ants of  the  Sun, 
bearing  the  image  of 
a  cock  upon  their 
shields.  In  later 
times  the  cock  has 
remained  the  symbol 
of  vigilance   and   of 


Mr.  Cock. 


music.  In  German\'  the  cock  is  actuall)-  a 
weathercock  on  the  steeples  of  Catholic 
churches  ;  whereas  that  on  the  Lutheran 
steeples   is   a   swan. 

The  cock  must  have  appeared  in  Greece 
about  the  middle  of  the  second  century  B.C., 
reaching   other  parts   of    Europe    in  the  next 

century,  but  not  be- 
fore. Saint  Peter 
had  good  cause  to 
know  of  it  in  the 
first  century  ..\.D.  ; 
and  in  the  fourth 
century  the  monas- 
teries began  to  apply 
themselves  gener- 
ally to  the  breeding 
of  poultry.  Bishop 
Martin  sent  great 
numbers  from  Italy 
into  France  and  Ger- 
many, where,  after  a 
while,  the  peasantry 
were  allowed  to  pay 
their  taxes  in  poul- 
try and  eggs,  a  fact 
which     greatly 


knowledge.     How 

many   interpretations   have   been   given  of  its      favored  the  propagation  of  fowls. 

crow  !    It  is  said  to  indicate  the  place  of  buried 

treasure.    Black  cocks  are  in  communion  with 

the  Evil  Spirit ;  they  addle  eggs,  they  predict 

ill  luck,  they  tell  people's  fortunes  by  pecking 

grain,  with  which  they  form  letters  and  words 

—  an   art    that    was    called    alectryomancy,   in 

honor  of  one  of  the  three  Furies,  who  presided 

over  the  performance.    To  this  day  in  Bohemia 


and   Silesia  the  peasants   tie  a  black  cock  to 


II.    Poultry  in  Europe  .wd  in  Americ.\ 

It  was  inevitable  that  the  raising  of  poultry 
should  excite  the  interest  of  farmers  through- 
out Europe.  Countries  like  France,  Belgium, 
and  Denmark  have  from  this  source  within  a 
few  years  annually  increased  the  national 
wealth  by  several  millions.  Italy,  Hungary, 
and  Russia  are  the  countries  that  supply  Eng- 


a  tree,  round  which  they  dance  ;  and  if  a  mar-  land,    France,    Germany,    Belgium,    and    the 

riage  is  contracted  during  Lent  they  solemnly  Netherlands  with  what  they  lack.     If  we  read 

tie  a  cock  in  a  chair,  put  a  red  cap  on  its  head,  statistics  we  are  amazed  at  the  enormous  quan- 

decapitate  it,  and  eat  it  to  the  strains  of  funereal  tity  of  eggs  sent  from  the  East  to  the  West ; 


THE  GALLINACEOUS   TRIBES 


221 


it  amounts  in  value  to  many  millions 
of  dollars. 

Within  a  generation  the  raising 
of  poultry  in  European  countries  has 
had  an  extraordinary  impetus.  Not 
content  with  the  breeds  they  pos- 
sessed, energetic  breeders  set  them- 
selves to  improve  and  perfect  them. 
A  wholly  new  direction  has  been 
given  to  the  science  of  breeding.  It 
is  not  yet  all  it  should  be,  but  im- 
provements are  being  made  daily. 
Each  European  country  possesses  its 
own  species  —  the  one  most  suitable 
to  its  climate  and  wants.  Russia  has 
the  Pultava  fowl  ;  Italy  the  Italian  ; 
France  the  Houdans,  the  Favanelles, 
the  Creve-Coeurs,  etc.  ;  Belgium  the 
Mechhn  Coucous,  the  Braeckels, 
etc. ;  Germany  the  Ramels  bohen, 
the  fowls  of  eastern  F'riesland,  etc. ; 
and  the  Netherlands  their  breed  with 
hooded  heads  and  white  tojjknots. 
America,  the  enterprising  land  par 
ex-cclUna\  has  produced  something 
special  in  this  domain,  which  e.xcites 
admiration  for  those  who  have  advanced  so  far, 
thanks  to  constant  perseverance.  The  Wyan- 
dottes  and  the  Plymouth  Rocks  are  the  national 
fowls  of  America.  They  have  been  sent  to 
Europe,  where  they  do  honor  to  their  reputa- 
tion by  occupying  an  important  place  among 
Continental    poultry.     What  Americans    ha\e 


The  F.x.milv  Comi'letk 


Till-:  Mrs.  Hen 

claimed  for  these  products  of  their  cross  breed- 
ing has  been  verified.  The  endeavor  has  been 
to  raise  fowls  which  should  not  onl)-  be  prolific 
in  laying  eggs,  but  should  also  be  excellent  for 
eating ;  and  we  have  succeeded.  Our  poultry 
breeders  may  feel  proud  that  their  product  has 
been  received  with  open  arms  across  the  ocean, 
and  we  may  doubtless  regard  these 
breeds  as  the  races  of  the  future. 

At  the  French  and  Belgian  poul- 
try shows  the  native  breeds  still  form 
the  chief  section  ;  but  in  all  the  great 
competitions  Wyandottes,  Plymouth 
Rocks,  Leghorns,  Minorcas,  Dutch 
fowls,  Orpingtons,  and  Brahmas  are 
conspicuous  for  their  beauty  and 
their  usefulness.  Most  persons  who 
keep  poultry  do  so  for  the  profit  to 
be  made  thereby.  Nevertheless,  be- 
sides that  profit,  they  ought  to 
desire  also  to  have  something  hand- 
some.   Unfortunately,  we  still  see  in 


222 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Whiti-.  Wvanhotte  Cock 

farmyards  and  villages  a  mixture  of  all  breeds 
and  all  colors.  We  must  hope  that  the  farmer 
will  end  by  deciding  to  raise  but  one  breed 
and  one  color. 

III.    Breeding  of  Poultry 

The  manner  in  which  poultry  is  bred  and 
raised  in  many  regions  leaves  much  to  be 
desired.  Sometimes  it  is  undertaken  after 
reading  a  book  on  the  subject,  in  which  marvels 
are  promised  as  a  result.    That  is  not  the  way 


to  succeed.  Those  who  desire  to 
take  up  this  business  seriously  should 
learn  practically  many  things  that  are 
not  found  in  books,  but  a  knowledge 
of  which  is  absolutely  essential.  We 
shall  try  to  show  how,  and  in  what 
way,  this  industr)'  may  be  made 
profitable  ;  and  if,  on  certain  points, 
we  enter  upon  theory,  the  reader 
should  endeavor  to  verify  for  him- 
self the  results  to  be  obtained. 

The  first  condition  for  making  a 
])oultrv  vard  lucrative  is   to  do  the 
work  yourself,  and  not  be  afraid  of 
soiling  your  hands.    In  doing  every- 
thing yourself  you  accjuire  the  rou- 
tine, and  if  later  you  take  a  helper, 
you  will   then   know   how    to  direct 
him.    For  if  we  have  no  idea  ourselves  of  the 
true  methods  of  breeding,  what  can  come  of  it  ? 
The  raising  of  poultry  may  be  profitable,  even 


'Ursus" 


Plymouth  Rock  Cock 

largely  profitable,  but  only  at  the  cost  of  our 
personal  care  and  labor.  The  first  thing  to  be 
done  is  to  procure  a  good  breed.  Persons 
ignorant  of  the  business  look  for  advertise- 
ments   in    poultry    journals,  which    are    often 


THE  GALLINACEOUS  TRIBES 


223 


useless  or  worse  than  useless.  Not  only  farms 
but  also  whole  villages  have  been  depopulated 
of  poultry  by  the  introduction  in  this  way  of 
diseased  fowls.  The  damage  thus  caused  in 
Belgium,  Germany,  and  Holland,  for  instance, 
has  amounted  at  times  to  millions  of  dollars, 
with  the  result  that  many  persons,  after  being 
duped  in  this  way,  have  abandoned  the  trade. 
The  peasantry  of  Italy  and  Hungary  are 
largely  occupied  in  the  raising  of  poultry.  On 
the  vast  plains  of  those  countries  the  birds 
grow  quickly  and  easily,  and  find  all  their 
stomachs  need.    Merchants  buy  the  pullets  for 


^■i^^^^^^^^^^^^BPk:^  «  f^^^^^H 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^K:^^^^    ^-^^v^^^^^^l 

.          *\ 

^^H^\ 

^    ^  ■  -^A 

^Ie 

'^,  ■^^•'y-''    ^ 

^Ik 

^^^^^^^^BBm^MBr 

.'  ^^^^^^Hl 

^■L/yl!2^^H 

^pl  ^^^ 

•    ■-                   —.._-,;              > 

f^^™ 

"  Nero" 

a  trifle  (five  cents  each),  a  price  on  which  the 
Italian  peasant  finds  that  he  makes  a  profit. 
These  merchants  have  so-called  poultry  yards 
where  the  little  creatures  are  piled  up  pell- 
mell.  Fresh  from  the  heaths  and  plains  where 
they  enjoyed  full  liberty,  what  wonder  if  they 
contract  diseases  in  these  confined  quarters, 
where  they  are  fed  on  food  to  which  they  are 
unaccustomed  !  Here,  however,  they  remain  till 
orders  come  from  other  countries,  to  which  they 
are  then  dispatched  in  baskets,  each  basket  con 
taining  fifty  birds.  The  journey  usually  lasts 
from  three  to  four  days,  and  the  condition  in 
which  the  poor  things  arrive  may  be  imagined. 


can  be  gained  from  the  fact  that  one  merchant 
of  Ai.\-la-Chapelle  receives  weekly,  during  the 
summer  season,  twenty  thousand  pullets  thus 


Black  Cochix-China  Cock 

packed.  There  are  even  special  trains  for  the 
transportation  of  poultry  and  eggs.  A  few 
weeks  after  the  birds  arrive  at  their  desti- 
nation disease  shows  itself,  and  if  haste  is 
not  made  to  separate  the  healthy  from  the 
unhealthy  fowls,  a  whole  poultry  yard  will  be 
infected  in  a  few  days. 

Those   who  wish    to    devote    themselves   to 
poultry  raising  should  make  deliberate  choice 


Black  Minorca  Cock 


An  idea  of  the  enormous  trade  that  Italy     as   to   the   external   appearance   of    the   breed 
arries  on  with  the  northern  countries  of  Europe      they  prefer.     But  a  choice  once  made  should 


224 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


be  kept  to.  Then  the  breeder  must  apjjly 
himself  to  improve  the  species,  bearing  in 
mind  that  all  hens  will  nut  la_\-  from  one 
hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  and  eighty 
eggs,  as  the  advertisers  endeavor  to  make  us 
think,  and  also  that  out  of  every  five  hundred 
eggs  half  will  produce  cocks.    On  large  poultry 


young  and  old.  It  is  composed  of  shell,  skin, 
white  of  egg,  and  )dlk,  the  latter  a  fatty,  j'ellow 
substance.  As  human  food  an  egg  does  not 
contain  (as  often  stated)  as  much  nourishment 
as  half  a  pound  of  meat ;  it  would  take  si.x  or 
seven  eggs  for  that.  The  white  contains  eighty- 
five  per  cent  of   water,  the  yolk  fifty-one  per 


Plymouth   Rocks 


farms  where  different  breeds  are  kept  it  is 
usual  to  divide  their  yard  with  wire  netting, 
giving  to  each  species  a  run  of  its  own. 

Hens  are  raised  for  their  eggs.  The  egg 
that  the  fowl  produces,  from  which  a  fowl 
issues  in  turn,  is,  next  to  milk,  man's  best 
food,  the  most  strengthening,  the  purest,  the 
most    unadulterable,    the    most    healthful    for 


cent  of  water  and  thirt)--one  per  cent  of  fat. 
A  hen's  egg,  analyzed  chemically,  contains  in 
addition  thirteen  per  cent  of  albumen,  twelve 
per  cent  of  fat,  and  no  hydrate  of  carbon, 
which  sufficiently  proves  that  it  could  never 
serve  exclusively  for  human  food. 

The  shell  is  composed   of  phosphoric   acid, 
chalk,  iron,  sulphur,  and  gluten.     It  is  proper 


THE  GALLINACEOUS   TRIBES 


225 


to  take  account  of   these  elements  in  feeding  Exportation  from  Russia  is  becoming  very 

hens.  If  occasionally  eggs  are  found  without  active  of  late,  and  this  country  is  coming  to 
shells,  it  is  a  proof  that  the  food  was  unsuit-  be  a  formidable  rival  of  Denmark  in  the  Eng- 
able  or  insufficient .  The  skin,  which  lies  lish  market.  The  Russian  exportation  of  eggs 
beneath  and  against  the  shell,  is 
composed  of  two  extremely  thin 
membranes,  which  are  slightly  sepa- 
rated from  each  other  at  the  top  of 
the  egg.  In  the  space  between  is  air 
with  much  acid  in  it,  for  the  use  of 
the  chick,  as  it  forms.  It  sometimes 
happens  that  there  are  two  )olks. 
The  white  of  the  egg  is  connected 
with  the  yolk  by  two  threads,  or  con- 
duits, which  conduct  nourishment 
to  the  chick  during  the  incubation 
period. 

A   young  hen   will    begin    to   lay 
when  a  year  old.     It  is  by  that  time 
provided  by  Nature  with  an  ovary 
which  contains  the  germs  of  no  less 
than  six  hundred  eggs.     The  laying 
diminishes  after  the  fourth  )ear.  and 
is   almost    entirely   finished    by    the 
sixth  year ;   the  hen  has  then  fulfilled  her  duty 
to  Nature.     But  this  is  nut  quick  enough  for 
breeders  of  the  present  day.    Haste  and  hurry 
prevail   even   here,   and   artificial    culture   has 
enormously  increased  the  number  of  chickens      of  supplanting  Italy  and  Austria  in  supplying 
hatched  daily  and  thus  the 
production  of   eggs,   the 


A  PiiiAiiM  \    1  lr\ 

in  igoi  amounted  in  value  to  353,920,000 
rubles  —  in  round  numbers  ^223,000,000,  and 
it  increases  every  year.  Russia  is  already  so 
strong  in  this  particular  that  it  is  on  the  point 


trade  in  which  appears  to 

be  illimitable.     In  reading 

the   statistics  of  different 

countries  we  are  astounded 

at  the   enormous   demand 

for  this   product,  and   the 

supply  does  not  keep  pace 

with  the  demand.     In  the 

Netherlands,  for  instance, 

that  small   country  which 

is   by   no   means   unsuited 

for  the  production  of  eggs, 

the   deficit   last   year   was 

seventy  million.    Denmark  may  serve  as  a  model 

to  the  lesser  countries  in  the  raising  of  chickens. 

It   exports   yearly  about   four  million   dollars' 

worth  ;  and  the  husbandmen  profit  by  it. 


other  countries. 
IV 


'RiT.A,' 


Lavincx  and 

Brooding 

It  goes  without  saying 
that  many  of  those  who 
keep  fowls  have  no  inten- 
tion of  venturing  upon  the 
great  markets  of  the  world. 
So  long  as  they  raise  eggs 
and  chickens  for  their  own 
consumption  they  are 
satisfied.  Yet  these  small 
breeders  and  owners  of 
poultry  ought  to  be  well 
informed  as  to  the  best  methods  of  managing 
the  inhabitants  of  their  poultry  yards.  In  the 
first  place,  they  ought  to  know  that  hens  when 
laying  and  brooding  should,  as  far  as  possible. 


A  Braekel  Pullet  Prize 
Winner 


226 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


be  left  at  liberty  ;  then,  that  thev  must  be  fed,      is  well  to  give  grain  at  this  meal,  because  that 
in  addition   t<i  grain,  with  large  quantities  of      needs  a  certain  time  to  pass  into  the  stomach. 


vegetable  and  animal  food,  such  as  meat  scraps. 


A  Mi:rHi.ix  Corcor  Hi;x 

insects  and  worms,  etc.  Besides  these  things 
they  need  grit  and  lime,  but  egg  shells  should 
not  be  given  them,  a  practice  which  will  teach 
the  hen  to  peck  at  and  so  break  her  eggs.  Vege- 
table food  serves  to  prevent  constipation,  and 
lime  goes  to  form  and  strengthen  the  bones. 

Hens,  like  dogs,  should  never  be  allowed  to 
leave  half  their  meal.    It  should  all  be  eaten 


WhITI.    MlXIlLIN    CdCK 


with  pleasure.  They  are  usually  fed  two  or 
three  times  daily ;  the  last  meal  should  be 
given  just  before  they  go  to  their  perch.    It 


In  winter  a  good  meal  can  be  made  of  hot 
water  and  mashed  potatoes,  or  bran  mash 
served  warm  ;  abo\e  all,  it  is  important  to  see 
that  no  ice-cold  drinking  water  can  be  reached. 
It  must  never  be  forgotten  that  variety  of  food 
keeps  poultry  in  good  health,  and  that  experi- 
ence wdll  best  teach  what  will  induce  hens  to 
la_\'  well  under  local  circumstances. 

Usually    hens    lay    eggs    for    several    days 
together  and  then  rest  for  a  day.     If  well  fed 


A  Mf.chux  Coucou  Cock 

they  begin  to  lay  in  February  and  cease  in 
the  autumn,  when  they  begin  to  molt.  Of 
course  this  depends  somewhat  on  the  hen- 
house and  the  condition  in  which  they  are 
kept.  Their  house  should  be  extremely  clean, 
cleanliness  being  of  great  importance  to  them ; 
so  much  so  that  they  will  not  lay  their  eggs 
in  a  dirt}-  henhouse  infested  with  vermin,  but 
will  go  elsewhere  for  a  nest.  Nearly  all  hens 
will  make  known  by  a  peculiar  cry,  well  under- 
stood by  those  who  know  it,  when  they  have 
laid  an  egg.  If  they  stay  on  the  egg  and  are 
unwilling  to  be  driven  away  from  it,  it  is  a 
sign  that  they  want  to  sit,  to  the  great  alarm 
of  some  people,  who  desire  eggs  to  eat,  and 


THE  GALLINACEOUS   TRIBES 


227 


not  a  "  sitting  hen."  A  basket  or  a  pail 
turned  upside  down  over  the  egg  will  teach 
the  hen  that  she  is  not  to  follow  her  instinct. 
When  it  is  desired  to  raise  chickens  leave 
the  mother  hen  quietly  and  without  fear 
upon  her  eggs,  especially  in  the  spring  of 
the  year.  She  will  utter  peculiar  cries,  and 
this  is  the  time  to  put  her  in  a  dark,  quiet, 
isolated  place.  The  eggs  left  under  her 
should  never  become  chilled  ;  consequently 
the  time  given  to  feed  her  or  to  clean  the 
nest  should  never  exceed  ten  minutes.  It 
is  well  to  give  her,  now  and  then,  a  bath  ot 
hot  dust,  which  serves  to  free  her  of  vermin. 
After  sitting  on  the  eggs  for  twenty-one 
days  the  hen  has  fulfilled  the  first  part  of  her 
maternal  duties,  and  the  chicks  make  their 
appearance.  They  should  be  kept  isolated 
with  their  mother  for  several  days.  Not  till 
her  chicks  are  well  started  will  she  begin 
to  lay  again. 

V.    Artifici.\l  Incubation 

When  it  is  necessary  to  hatch  on  a  large 
scale  as  rapidly  and  as  economically  as  pos- 
sible, the  system  is  very  different.  To 
realize  good  profits  recourse  must  be  had 
to  an  incubator. 

Artificial  incubation  is  not  a  new  thing. 
It  was  applied  on  a  large  scale  by  the  ancient 
Egyptians,  although  it  has  been  practiced  in 
Europe  and  America  for  only  thirty  years. 
Though  at  first  these  machines  were  very 
defective  and  difficult  to  work,  they  have  been 
so  perfected  as  to  be  considered  in  these  days 
indispensable.    Much  has  been  written  for  and 


MoTMKK  Hen  with  Littlk  Ducklings 


iNCUliATlNG    Box 

at^ainst  them,  but  the  results  obtained  from 
properly  constructed  incubators  prove  that 
they  are  instruments  of  great  utility.  With 
these  machines  we  are  no  longer  dependent 
on  climate  or  weather.  Prejudice  against  them 
is  beginning,  little  by  little,  to  disappear,  and 
the  number  manufactured  can  scarcely  be 
estimated,  especially  in  this  country, 
which  in  1902  exported  three  hun- 
dred thousand  to  other  countries. 
Poultry  raisers  early  saw  the  advan- 
tages of  incubators  over  hens,  and 
they  quickly  discarded  Nature  for 
the  new  method  of  artificial  hatch- 
ing ;  to  them  the  honor  of  improving 
these  machines  in  recent  years  is 
due.  The  apparatus  is  now  regarded 
as  a  necessary  object  which  ought 
to  be  in  all  farm  and  poultry  yards 


228 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


as  much  as  any  other  modern  instrument  of 
husbandry.  The  fact  that  Europe,  especially 
the  Netherlands,  is  importing,  for  the  im- 
provement of  its  breeds,  American  fowls, 
—  the  Wyandottes,  Plymouth  Rocks,  etc., — 
proves  that  poultry  incubated  artificially  does 
not  yield  in  any  manner  to  poultry  hatched 
naturally.  Where  shall  we  find,  except  in  the 
United  States,  hens  able  to  hatch,  on  an  aver- 
age, one  hundred  and  eighty  eggs  a  year  ?    Do 


eggs  the  hen  wi 


give  us  fifty  chickens,  while 
the  machine  will  give  from  eighty  to  ninety. 
Complaints,  however,  are  often  made  of  in- 
ferif)r  machines,  and  justly.  Persons  are  led  to 
buy  incubators  without  any  knowledge  of  their 
value,  and  are  often  deceived.  But  what  infer- 
ence can  be  drawn  from  that .'  Nevertheless 
those  who  have  thus  been  victimized  remain 
ever  after  the  adversaries  of  artificial  incu- 
bation.    If    they    had    been    better    informed 


iNcrn.^TORS 


the  large,  solid  Wyandotte  and  Phmouth  Rock 
hens  have  a  sickly  exhausted  air  ?  No,  on  the 
contrary  they  are  robust  animals,  capable  of 
resisting  the  effects  of  all  climates. 

We  base  these  remarks  on  our  own  experi- 
ence, which  leads  us  to  declare  conscientiously 
that  neither  natural  nor  artificial  incubation  has 
any  distinct  or  special  influence  under  normal 
circumstances.  With  eggs  well  fertilized  a 
good  hen  will  produce  good  chickens.  A  good 
machine,  well  managed,  will  give  the  same  and 
even  better   results,   for  out   of  one    hundred 


or  had  consulted  experienced  breeders,  they 
could  have  obtained  good  results  and  been 
partisans,  not  adversaries,  of  this  useful  inven- 
tion, without  which  the  raising  of  poultry  could 
never  have  attained  its  present  development. 
We  could  never  in  this  country  have  gone  so 
far  in  raising  poultry  if  we  had  not  made  use 
of  the  artificial  incubator. 

A  good  incubator  having  been  purchased, 
the  next  thing  is  to  find  a  suitable  place  for 
it.  This  should  be  airy,  but  sheltered  from 
currents  of  air,  and  the  temperature  should  be 


THE  GALLINACEOUS   TRIBES 


229 


as  uniform  as  possible.    Thus  a  cellar,  an  un- 
used room,  or  a  stable  are  all  sviitable.    Where 
the  raising  of  poultry  is  done  on  a  large  scale 
special   cellars  are  built.    Good  ventilation  is 
necessary;  the  place  should  never  be  damp, 
nor  should  vegetables  in  a  state  of  putrefac- 
tion be  kept   in    it.     Nevertheless,   do   not 
choose  a  cellar  exposed  to  drafts,  for  nothing 
is  more  injurious  when  the  eggs  are  turned 
over.     The    temperature    should    never    go 
below  100°  F.,  nor  above  105°.    If  the  tem- 
perature falls  below   100°  the  eggs  will  be 
chilled    when   turned,   and   if   removed   into 
another    room    they    will   be   exposed    to   a 
current  of  air.     In  no  case  should  the  incu- 
bator be  placed  either  near  a  stove  or  near 
an  open  window. 

When  the  incubator  comes  from  the  deal- 
ers and  is  unpacked  and  fixed  according  to 
the  directions  sent  with  it,  the  lamp  being 
fixed  and  the  regulator  set  up,  the  next  thing 
to  be  done  is  to  place  it  in  a  perfectly  hori- 
zontal position,  and  then  to  study  and  com- 
prehend its  arrangement  and  subdivisions.    If 
we   open   the   door   that    closes    the    hatching 
chamber,  we  see  that  the  interior  is  separated 
into   two   divisions   by  a   horizontal  partition, 
which  can  be  removed   in  several  pieces.     In 
these  drawers,  as  they  are  called,  the  eggs  are 
placed,  and  beneath  them 
is  the  drying  compartment 
for  the  chicks.    These 
drawers  are  movable,  and 
are  easily  opened  when  the 
eggs   have   to   be    turned. 
They  do  not  come  close  to 
the  door,  and  through  the 
space  thus  left  the  chicks 
drop  easily  into  the  drying 
place  after  leaving  the 
shells. 

In  constructing  the  in- 
cubator the  aim  has  been 
to  put  the  eggs  under  the 
same  conditions  as  obtain 
under  the  mother's  brooding  wings.  In  the 
latter  case  the  egg  takes  the  temperature  of 
the  hen,  and  the  external  air  reaches  it  freely. 


It  would  have  been  easy  enough,  by  the  help  of 
thick  partitions,  to  keep  up  a  minimum  of  heat 
and  an  even  temperature,  but  in  that  case  the 
eggs  would  have  been  deprived  of  necessary 


Whiti:   Mi;riii.iN    Hi.N" 


Incubator  with  Chicks  One  Hour  Old 

ventilation,  which  involves  the  question  of  life 
or  death  to  the  chicks.  The  whole  secret  of 
incubation  is  to  maintain  around  well-fertilized 
eggs  an  even  temperature  and  a  regular  circu- 
lation of  sufficient  fresh  air.  For  this  purpose 
we  find  an  opening  made  beneath  the  drum 
which  incloses  the  lamp. 
Through  this  opening  the 
outside  air  passes  around 
the  lighted  lam]3  and  enters 
the  incubating  compart- 
ments. 

The  ideal  temperature 
for  these  machines  is  100° 
F.  at  the  beginning  of  the 
incubation,  rising  gradu- 
ally to  103°  F. 

And  now  what  are  the 
principal  points  to  be  ob- 
served while  the  incubator 
is  performing  its  functions .' 
First,  the  regular  renewal 
of  fresh  air  and  the  proper  quantity  of  atmos- 
pheric moisture,  and  next,  the  regular  turning 
over   of    the  eggs.    Ventilation   and    moisture 


23<) 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


are  supplied  in  proper  quantities  if  the  machine  allowed  to  fall  below  75°,  and  the  thermom- 
is  well  situated.  As  to  this,  experience  is  eter  must  be  kept  in  the  drawer.  This  cooling 
better  than  advice.    If  the  hatching  takes  place      should  be  done   gradually,  beginning,  say,  on 

the  fourth  day.  It  may  last  from  four  to  five 
minutes,  increasing  daily  until  at  the  end  of 
ten  days  it  lasts  fmm  ten  to  twenty  minutes. 
The  machine  remains  closed  during  all  the  rest 
of  the  time.  The  lamp  should  be  thoroughly 
cleaned  after  each  incubation. 

When  the  eggs  have  been  hatching  five  or 
si.x  days  they  must  be  examined.    Those  that 


A  Celebrated  Specimen  of  the 
Mechlin  Breed 

during  great  heat,  it  is  well  to  put  a  wet 
sponge  or  a  cupful  of  water  in  the  drum ;  if 
this  is  not  done,  the  air  in  the  egg  chambers 
is  liable  to  be  too  dry,  so  that  the  chicks  at  the 
moment  of  being  hatchetl  may  remain  attached 
to  the  membrane. 

Pimctuality  more  than  science  is  recjuired 
for  cooling  and  turning  the  eggs.  The  turn- 
ing   should    be    done    regularly   twice    a   day, 


Cock  of  Fine  Stature 

are  not  fertile  should  be  removed  and  kept  to 
feed  the  chicks  later.  The  proper  way  to  tell 
a  fertile  egg  is  to  take  it  between  the  thumb 
and  forefinger  and  hold  it  before  a  strong 
light.  If  it  is  perfectly  clear  within,  it  is  not 
fertile  ;  if,  on  the  contrary,  a  little  black  speck 
with  red  lines  is  seen  to  float  inside  of  it,  look- 
ing more  or  less  like  a  spider  in  its  web,  it  is 
certain  to  be  fertile.  The  same  examination 
from  the  second  to  the  eighteenth  day.  The  should  be  made  on  the  fourteenth  day. 
cooling    and    ventilation   of   the   eggs    recjuire  If  persons  desire  to  hatch  successfully,  they 

;practice.     The    temperature    should    never   be      must   take  fresh  eggs  never  more  than  seven 


Dutch  Hen,  Goudpel  Kkred 


THE  GALLINACEOUS   TRIBES 


231 


or  eight  days  old.  The  artificial  incubator  has 
no  merit  in  itself ;  it  is  only  of  \-alue  so  far  as 
it  exercises  on  the  egg  precisely  the  same  in- 
fluence as  the  mother  hen. 
The  hen  is  a  live  machine  ; 
the  machine  is  an  artificial 
hen.  The  results  of  the 
incubation  depend  entirely 
on  the  eggs  to  be  hatched. 
If  they  are  good,  artificial 
incubation  will  give  e.xcel- 
lent  results. 

VI.   The  Artifici.\l 
Raising  of  Chickens 

Having  now  explained 
machine  incubation,  a  little 
advice  may  facilitate  the 
management  of  the  artifi- 
cial mother.  It  is  not  a  very  difficult  matter. 
During  the  first  few  days  the  machine  itself 
is  the  mother.  It  should  not  be  opened  during 
that  time,  as  all  the  chickens  need  is  warmth. 
It  is  necessary  only  to  maintain  the  tempera- 
ture at  92°  with  the  necessary  ventilation. 
Before  the  chicks  come  out  of 
the  machine  care  must  be 
taken  to  diminish  the  tempera- 
ture gradually  day  by  day. 
After  they  come  out  it  is  well 
to  have  rather  more  warmth 
by  day  than  by  night,  because 
the  little  creatures  need  it 
after  running  in  the  outer  air. 
If  they  are  found  dispersed 
about  in  the  incubator,  it  is  a 
sign  that  they  are  comfortable  ; 
if,  on  the  contrary,  they  huddle 
together,  the  heat  should  be 
raised  a  little  ;  but  if  they  take 
refuge  in  the  corners,  it  is  a  sure 
sign  that  they  are  too  warm. 

During  the  first  six  days  the 
chicks  should  be  fed  in  the  in- 
cubator ;  after  that,  outside  of 


A  Silver  Braekf.l  Hen 


immobility  on  the  cold  ground  often  gives  them 
rheumatism,  and  it  should  be  prevented. 

To  those  who  raise  but  few  chickens  these 
artificial  mothers,  which 
can  be  kept  out  of  doors, 
are  recommended  as  very 
serviceable,  because  they 
can  not  only  be  moved 
from  place  to  place  but 
they  also  serve  to  protect 
the  chickens  from  cats, 
rats,  weasels,  etc. 

The  first  week  the  food 
of  the  chicks  should  be 
bread  crumbs  mixed  with 
the  infertile  eggs  taken 
from  the  incubator ;  they 
should  also  have  oats  or 
barley  ground  in  little  mills 
(made  expressly  for  this  purpose)  and  mixed 
with  a  small  allowance  of  milk.  The  second 
week  it  is  well  to  give  them  wheat  or  other 
grain  ground  in  the  same  way,  to  vary  the  food, 
after  which  they  may  be  allowed  to  run  at 
large  within  the  inclosure,  where  they  will  find 


Year-Oi.d  Pullets 


it,  for  by  that  time  they  are  able  to  take  care  both  grass  and  insects.  As  soon  as  they  are 
of  themselves.  If  they  move  with  difficulty,  left  completely  at  liberty  they  will  roam  in  all 
they  will  complain  and  keep  stationary.    This      directions  after  worms  and  beetles  ;  but  if  their 


232 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


food  is  given  them  at  regular  hours,  they  will 
run  to  it  punctually  from  all  sides.  Whatever 
their  food  is,  it  should  be  eaten  up  immediately, 
so  that  nothing  be  left.  It  should  be  a  fi.xed 
rule  never  to  overfeed  them.  More  chickens 
die  from  eating  too  much  than  from  eating  too 
little.  They  ought  to  be  taught  while  young 
not  to  gorge  themselves ;  at  the  same  time, 
however,   they  should  be  fed   often. 

Their  drinking  water  should  be  pure  and 
cool,  and  their  coops  ought  to  be  cleaned  every 
day.  Sand  and  gravel  must  be 
within  e  a  s  )■  reach 
While  the  coops  are 
being  cleaned 
the  chicks 
should  be 
exam- 
ined 
to  see 
if  they 
h  a  \'  e 
a  n  \' 
vermin. 
If  they 
have,  the 
coops  must 
be  washed 
out  with  s  o  m  e 
one  of  the  disinfect 
ants  sold  for  that  purpose 
If  vermin  is  found  on  the  chicks  a  few 
drops  of  kerosene  should  be  rubbed  in 
under  their  wings,  for  many  of  them  perish 
from  lice,  while  the  cause  is  attributed  to  other 
things.  Certainly  fifty  per  cent  die  in  this  way. 
In  short,  if  healthy  and  vigorous  chickens  are 
desired,  two  special  points  must  be  attended 
to,  namely,  feeding  (but  not  overfeeding)  at 
regular  hours,  and  the  frequent  cleansing  of 
their  abodes. 

VII.    Inclosures  .and  Poultrv  Y.ards 

To  establish  a  fine  inclosure  space  is  neces- 
sary. The  first  thing  to  be  done  is  to  surround 
with  a  wire  trellis  the  whole  space  devoted 
to   this   purpose,  which  again   is  divided   into 


The  First  Egg 


three  or  more  parts  by  similar  trellises.  The 
first  division  is  the  place  where  the  chicks  are 
to  be  raised  ;  the  second  is  for  the  hens  whose 
eggs  are  taken  for  the  incubator  ;  the  third  is 
for  the  hens  who  brood  upon  their  own  nests. 
The  division  for  the  chicks  should  be  subdivided 
into  spaces  about  ten  feet  wide  by  seventy-five 
feet  long,  in  each  of  which  one  hundred  chicks 
are  allowed  to  run.  When  they  are  six  weeks 
old  this  space  should  be  doubled.  The  second 
division,  suitable  for  a  cock  and  ten  hens,  should 
be  sixteen  feet  wide  and  from 
ne  hundred  and  fifty  to 
two  hundred  feet 
ong.  Chopped 
straw  should 
be  strewn 
in  this 
inclo- 
sure 
with 
grain 
s  c  a  t- 
t  c  r  e  d 
through 
it  to  com- 
pel the  birds 
to  seek  their 
wn  food.  They 
111  soon  eat  up  what 
is  nearest  to  their  coop 
r  house.  It  is  proper  every  day  or 
two  to  spade  up  a  corner  of  this 
inclosure  so  that  the  birds  may  grub  for 
worms  and  other  animal  food,  but  it  is  essen- 
tial that  much  of  the  inclosure  be  left  in 
grass,  which  is  indispensable  in  large  poultry 
vards. 

The  third  division,  reserved  for  the  pro- 
duction of  chicks  from  the  nests,  should  be 
a  large  field  with  sheds  or  henhouses,  each 
able  to  accommodate  from  fifty  to  sixty  hens. 
These  henhouses  should  be  about  twelve 
feet  wide  and  thirty  feet  long,  made  entirely 
of  wood. 

Persons  who  have  no  such  space  as  the  above 
at  their  command,  the  inhabitants  of  towns,  for 
instance,  can  still  enjoy   the  luxury  of  raising 


THE  GALLINACEOUS   TRIBES 


233 


their  own  chickens,  provided  they  give  them 
the  same  food  and  turf  that  they  have  in  the 
country.  It  is  not  necessary  that  the  poultry 
yards  should  be  so  large.  The  space,  however, 
must  have  sun,  and  must  be  covered  first  with 
ashes  and  then  with  straw  and  grain  to  force 


VIII.  Prinxip.al  Breeds 
The  Wyaiuiottcs,  which  to-day  are  the  most 
in  vogue,  and  which  were  bred  originally  in 
America,  have  spread  rapidly  over  the  whole 
of  Europe.  They  are  of  various  colors,  the 
most   desirable   being    white ;   then   come    the 


A  DiviiJEi)  Hen   V.akd 


the  birds  to  take  exercise.  When  city  fowls 
do  not  get  exercise  enough  they  often  take  to 
pecking  their  eggs  or  plucking  out  their  own 
feathers.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  these 
poultry  houses  and  yards  must  be  kept  espe- 
cially clean  to  ward  off  diseases,  which  are 
more  to  be  feared  in  the  city  than  in  the 
country. 


silvery,  the  golden,  the  speckled,  the  black, 
and  the  partridge  colored.  It  is  an  excellent 
breed,  as  good  for  its  eggs  as  for  its  flesh, 
and  a  particularly  good  layer  in  winter.  The 
pullets  raised  in  the  spring  will  lay  all  winter. 
The  eggs  are  a  brownish  yellow,  sometimes 
pink,  and  are  small  but  numerous.  The  hens 
are  the  best  of  layers  ;  those  which  lay  annually 


O  ^    1 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Poultry  Yard 


from  one  hundred  and  fifty  to  a  hundred  and 
eighty  eggs  are  by  no  means  rare.  The  weight 
of  the  cock  is  from  seven  to  nine  pounds,  that  of 
the  hen  from  six  to  seven.  They  are  very  hardy 
in  cold  weather,  and  their  crests  and  combs 
never  freeze,  as  those  of 
other  breeds  do  frequently. 
Always  busy  in  seeking 
food,  they  are  gentle  by 
nature  and  never  run  away 
timidly  when  approached. 

The  Lt7//ii^s//nus  are  also 
fine,  large  fowls,  much 
more  esteemed  in  England 
than  here,  and  often  found 
in  other  countries.  For- 
merly they  were  black  only, 
but  now  we  see  white  and 
slate  colored  at  the  poultry 
shows.  In  England,  Amer- 
ica, Holland,  Belgium,  and 
France  they  have  feathered 


White  Wv.wihittf.  Hex 


feet,  whereas  in  Austria  and  Germany  bare  feet 
prevail.  It  is  one  of  the  heaviest  breeds  known. 
A  cock  weighs  about  ten  pounds,  a  hen  eight. 
They  generally  lay  well ;  the  eggs  are  yellow, 
and  are  of  the  usual  size.  Their  white  flesh  is 
much  esteemed,  and  they 
are  verv  easy  to  fatten. 

The  Houda>i  is  the  best 
known  F"rench  breed  raised 
in  the  United  States. 
Nothing  but  good  can  be 
said  of  it ;  it  has  found  ad- 
mirers the  world  over. 
These  fowls  come  from  the 
neighborhood  of  the  town 
of  Houdan.  They  ma\'  be 
classed  among  the  nesting 
fowls  as  well  as  among  the 
decorative  or  "luxury" 
birds.  They  must  be  kept 
from  dampness.  When  it 
rains,   for    instance,   thev 


thp:  gallinaceous  tribes 


235 


they  have  two  Httle  horns,  which  give  them  a 
comical  appearance.  The  usual  color  is  black, 
although  sometimes  steel  blue  occurs,  but  the 
latter  is  rarely  seen  at  shows.  The  hens  of 
this    breed    are    excellent    layers.     The    cock 


Sll.XK 


K-l'ii.NCiLEu  Wyandotte  Hen 


should  not  be  allowed  outside  the  henhouse, 
because  their  enormous  topknots  retain  so  much 
water  that  diseases  are  sure  to  result.  It  is  a 
very  handsome  fowl,  with  an  alert  air,  black  with 
white  points,  and  its  head  adorned  with  a  mag- 
nificent tuft,  or  topknot.  They  lay  a  great  many 
large  eggs,  and  furnish  excellent  roasts,  which 
are  much  in  demand  at  hotels  and  restaurants. 
The  La  FIccltc  breed,  also  French,  yields  in 
a  way  to  the  Houdans.     Instead  of  a  topknot 


Silvek-Fenciii-ii  \\\.\m>iiite  Cock 


weighs    about 


eight  kilograms  and  the  hen 
about  six  or  seven ;  thus  they  may  be  classed 
among  the  medium-sized  breeds.  The  tiesh  is 
white,  like  that  of  all  French  fowls. 

The  Favcrollc,  also  of  French  origin,  has  a 
topknot,  and  a  little  above  the  beak  two  small 


Pautridge-Colored  Wvandottes 


236 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


horns  protrude.  It  is  a  very  good  breed,  hardy 
and  proof  against  dampness.  These  birds  are 
useful  as  well  as  decorative  ;  the\'  are  hand- 
some, and  good  layers.  The  chicks  grow 
rapidly  and  are  much  in  favor 
with  dealers,  who  buy  them 
small  to  fatten. 

The  Minorca  breed,  originat- 
ing in  the  south  of  Europe, 
may  be  considered  as  one  of 
the  very  best  of  layers.  The 
eggs  are  large.  The  flesh,  bitter 
and  rather  dr\-,  is  not  as  desir- 
able as  that  of  the  larger 
breeds ;  therefore  they  are 
used  chiefly  as  layers.  Their 
production  of  eggs  is  enor- 
mous, but  it  takes  place  at  a 
time  when  the  market  is  well 
supplied  and  the  prices  low.  It 
usually  ceases  in  winter,  unless 
the    hens    are    given    a    warm 


Plymouth  Rocks,  1  hey  possess  the  same  qual- 
ities, and  differ  only  in  the  legs,  which  are  red, 
and  in  the  flesh,  which  is  white  in  the  former, 
whereas  that  of  the  buff  Pl}mouth  Rocks  is 
yellowish.  Also  the  latter  are 
a  little  taller  in  the  legs,  and 
slimmer,  the  Orpingtons  being 
coarser  in  shape.  The  Ply- 
mouth Rocks  may  be  speckled, 
light  yellow,  or  white.  The 
breeding  of  speckled  fowls 
often  affords  surprises.  Some- 
times they  turn  out  all  black, 
with  legs  of  another  color.  The 
Rocks  bear  a  striking  resem- 
blance to  the  Wyandottes,  with 
this  difference, —  that  while  the 
latter  have  a  double  crest  the 
Rocks  have  but  one. 

The  Cochin  China  fowls  can 
without  contradiction  be  ranked 
as  a  giant  breed.  When  first 
house  where  they  will  not  suffer  from  cold,  imported  from  China  into  England  such  a 
which  they  cannot  endure.  To  prevent  their  reputation  came  with  them  that  the  "hen  with 
enormous  crests  from  freezing,  which  happens  the  golden  eggs"  was  supposed  to  be  found; 
quickly,  they  should  be  covered  with  glycerin,  but  it  was  not  long  before  poultry  raisers  found 
The  Andaliisian  breed  is  not  popular  in  the  that  they  had  been  mistaken  or  deceived.  Since 
United  States.     It  belongs,  like  the  Minorca,  to      then  they  have  been  no  longer  valued  as  layers, 


Cocks'  Combs  .are  \  Dainty 
FOR  Ericures 


the  medium-sized  races,  and  the  hens 
are  valued   exclusively  for  their 
eggs,  which  are  numerou 
and  constantly  laid,  thouL;h 
in   winter   their  crests 
make  them  bad  brooders. 
This  species  has  but  one 
color,  —  steel  blue. 

The  Orpingtons  are  the 
last  novelty.     They  pos- 
sess many  fine  qualities 
and  are  the  product  of  the 
crossing   of   several   good 
breeds.    The  best  are  the  Buff 
Orpingtons,  which  lay  many  large 
eggs  and  have  excellent  flesh.    They 


Black  Minorca  Cock 


lilt  merely  as  ornamental  birds.  They 
look    very   well    in    the    poultry 
\ard,  where    they   impose    re- 
spect by  their  lordly  bear- 
\     ing.     The   cocks   attain   a 
weight  of  ten  or  twelve 
pounds.     The    hens    are 
poor  layers   and   their 
eggs   are  small.    They 
are,  however,  good  sit- 
ters, though  their  weight 
often   destroys  the  whole 
brood.    When  they  have  laid 
about  fourteen  or  fifteen  eggs 
they  begin  to   sit.     The  flesh  of 
these  birds  is  not  savory.    The  only 
thintr  that  can  be  said  in  their  favor 


are  to  England  what  the   Houdans 

are  to  France  or  what  the  Wyandottes  are  to  is    that   when    their   colors  are    fine    they   are 

America.     At   first  sight  persons  ignorant  of  magnificent  birds  and  excite  universal  admira- 

poultry  cannot   tell    the  Orpingtons  from   the  tion. 


THE  GALLINACEOUS  TRIBES 


237 


The  Bmlmias  are  also  ponderous,  but 
they  have  many  good  qualities.  They  lay 
a  great  number  of  large  eggs,  and  their  flesh 
is  very  good  to  eat.  The  lighter  form  of 
Brahma  is  undeniably  one  of  the  hand- 
somest breeds  in  America  to-day.  Their 
keep  is  expensive,  owing  to  their  enormous 
size.  The  eggs  are  yellow  and  much  in 
demand.  The  brood  is  smaller  than  that 
of  the  Cochin  Chinas.  They  may  be  recom- 
mended to  those  who  wish  to  have  some- 
thing both  useful  and  beautiful. 

The  Speckled  Mechlin,  but  little  known 
in  the  United  States,  is  also  a  heavy  weight, 
but  not  more  so  than  the  Brahmas.  The 
cock  weighs  usually  ten  pounds,  the  hen 
eight  or  nine.  They  are  raised  in  great 
numbers  in  Belgium,  in  the  neighborhood 


•11^      -«^^ 


A  Fine  Specimen  of  the  Cochin-China  Breed 

the  legs  are  feathered  and  the  comb    may  be 
either  single  or  double. 

The  Braekch,  also  a  Belgian  breed  and  like- 
wise but  little  known  in  the  United  States,  are 
noted  as  fine  layers.  Though  small  themselves, 
they  lay  large  eggs  and  are  very  good  brooders. 


,\  Tvi'icAL  Lk.ht   Hk.xhma   Hen 

of  Mechlin,  and  it  is  this  breed  that  produces 
the  celebrated  fat  Brussels  pullets.  The  trade 
in  these  pullets  is  so  large  that  some  fatteners 
send  two  thousand  weekly  to  other  countries. 
The  soup  made  from  this  breed  is  universally 
known.  The  hens  are  good  layers  in  winter, 
and  good  brooders.  Breeding  for  the  markets 
begins  in  the  months  of  October  and  Novem- 
ber, and  brings  in  great  profits.  Fowls  of  the 
speckled  variety  are  most  in  demand,  although 
some  white  are  raised.  They  e.xcite  great 
interest  at  poultry  shows,  and  in  Belgium 
they  have  the  place  of  honor.  The  cock  is 
strong    and    rather   coarse   in   conformation ; 


Plymouth  Rock  Hen 


238 


OUR  DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


to  perfection  and  acclimated  in  northern  countries. 
The\'  may  be  classed  among  the  ver)'  best  laj'ers. 
The  eggs  are  large  and  numerous,  but  the  flesh,  dry 
and  bitter,  is  less  good. 

Dutch  breeds  have  begun  of  late  to  make  for  them- 
selves a  rei)utation.  Those  called  the  Hamburg  breed 
are  among  the  best  species.  They  are  good  layers  ; 
the  eggs  are  numerous,  though  small,  and  the  hen  will 
sometimes  lay  two  a  day.  They  can  safely  be  kept  in 
any  inclosure  without  danger  to  the  brood.  It  is  not 
surprising  that  a  hen  with  such  good  qualities  should 
have  admirers,  and  her  presence  at  all  poultrv  shows 
increases  the  reputation  she  has  made  for  herself.    She 


White  LEcanin.x   ili..\ 


They  require  but  little  care,  and  will  seek 
a  maintenance  for  themselves.  When  three 
or  four  weeks  old  the  cock  crows  with  all  his 
heart  at  break  of  day.  The  young  cocks 
are  fattened  when  si.\  or  eight  weeks  old 
and  are  sold  in  the  markets  as  pullets. 

Italian  fowls  are  notorious  because, 
through  the  enormous  e.xportaticjn  made  an- 
nually, they  have  spread  the  well-known  fowl 
diseases  in  other  countries.  Those  which 
can  become  accustomed  to  the  climate  are 
excellent  layers.  The  Lcglwnis,  popular  in 
the  United  States,  are  Italian  fowls  brought 


A  Brahma  Cock 


A  Pair  of  Mechlin  Coucous 

is  not  exacting,  and  can  easily  be  raised  in  a  town 
or  city  provided  she  is  given  dry  quarters.  In  color 
she  is  either  silvery  or  golden  or  black.  Her  eggs 
weigh  a  little  less  than  two  ounces  each.  The  cock 
weighs  five  or  six  [pounds,  the  hen  from  three  to 
five.  They  are  not  suitable  for  fattening.  As  their 
comb  has  nothing  to  fear  from  frost,  the  hens  will 
la)'  in  winter  if  they  have  comfortable  quarters. 

IX.    Decorative  Poultry 

As  decorative  poultry  we  must  first  name  fighting 
cocks  and  the  small  breeds. 

Two  species  of  fighting  cocks  should  be  noted 
—  the  large  and  the  small  breeds.    The  large  come 


THE  GALLINACEOUS  TRIBES 


239 


chiefly  from  France  and  Belgium,  and  are 
brought  thence  to  poultry  shows,  where  the 
cocks  will  fight  with  one  another  if  they  can. 
Though  forbidden  by  law,  these 
cockfights  are  frequent,  and  the 
authorities  pretend  not  to  see  them. 
If  by  chance  the  police  arrive,  a 
person  previously  designated  allows 
himself  to  be  arrested.  Large  sums 
are  often  staked  in  these  fights. 
The  care  bestowed  by  owners  on 
the  belligerents  is  amazing.  A  cock 
of  the  fighting  species  is  generally 
regarded  and  treated  as  a  member 
of  the  family,  and  if  he  has  won 
several  victories  he  becomes  a 
source  of  considerable  revenue. 
The  birds  are  sent  by  railway  from 
place  to  place,  and  arrive  on  the 
scene  of  combat  armed  with  sharp- 
ened spurs.  It  often  happens  that 
they  kill  their  adversaries  at  the  first  blow. 
This  is  actual  maltreatment  of  animals,  and 
may    be    compared    with    Spanish    bullfights. 


little 


A  Lo\-i-;r  of  FifiHTs 


larger  than  a  pigeon,  though  very  tall  upon  the 
legs.    They   are  pleasant    to   care   for,    taking 
room  and  being  very  gentle.    They  are 
of  different  colors  and  are  usually 
raised  by  amateurs,  appearing  often 
at  poultry  shows. 

Besides  these  smaller  combatants 
we  must  name  the  baiitains,  which 
are  of  every  color  imaginable .  They 
are  often  used  to  hatch  the  eggs 
of  pheasants  and  partridges.  They 
are  also  remarkable  for  laying  many 
eggs  of  proportionate  size.  One  of 
the  finest  of  the  dwarf  breeds  is  the 
Soyciisc,  or  Negro,  fowl.  In  place 
of  feathers  it  is  covered  with  long 
white  hairs.  These  are  superb  ani- 
mals, used  frequently  for  incubating 
pheasants.  The  name  "Negro" 
comes  from  the  fact  that  their  skin 
is  black. 

One  of  the  handsomest  of  the  decorative 
birds  is  the  hooded  Padnan  fowl.  It  is  of 
ordinary  size  and  its  whole  value  lies  in  its 
hof)d,  or  topknot.  The  larger  and  more  tufted 
that  is,  the  more  chance  the  bird  has  of  win- 
ning prizes  at  poultry  shows.  In  poultry, 
nothing  can  be  more  magnificent  than  a  collec- 
tion of  Paduan  fowls.  They  may  be  of  all  colors, 


Sm.\li,  German  Cock 

The  other  qualities  of  the  fighting  breeds  are 
not  many.  They  produce  few  eggs  and  their 
flesh  is  not  worth  much. 

Other  belligerent  breeds  besides  those  of 
France  and  Belgium  exist,  such  as  the  Brussels, 
the  German,  and  the  Mechlin.  The  latter  are 
superb  creatures,  seen  only  at  poultry  shows. 
The  small  fighting  cocks  have  the  same  form 
but  are  greatly  reduced  in  size.    They  are  not 


A  Padu.ax   Cock 

silvery,  golden,  buff,  white,  black,  etc.    The 

finest  of  the  race  is  the    White-Hooded  Dutch 
Cock.    He  is  all  black  excepting  the  hood,  which 


240 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


is  snow  white.  A  few,  however,  are  slate  colored  raising  of  these  hooded  fowls  is  almost  wholly 
or  a  steel  blue.  The  egg  production,  which  is  in  the  hands  of  sporting  breeders,  who  have 
only  passable,  does  not.  recommend  them  for      time  and  means  to  spend  upon  it. 


'if 

■  '!' 

'  lli'l: 

1'  ML 

id 

■l  fill  I.JI'I  III 

i 

li                    J      jr 

r 

M 

) 

1 

\ 

"Isfz^ 

-•.^ 

A  Dutch  C(ick  with  Whitk  T(ii'kn(jt 

general  use.  The  Paduan  fowls  require  very 
special  care.  If  they  are  out  in  the  rain  the 
hood  gets  wet  and  it  takes  a  long  time  to  dry, 
which  results  frequently  in  diseases  of  the  eye, 
etc.  To  have  them  always  handsome  and  in 
good  health  they  should  be  kept  in  a  covered 


The  Dutch   Biu:uij  "  Zu.\lkl.\ki..\  " 

X.    Diseases 

It  is  only  within  a  few  years  that  the  diseases 
of  [loultry  have  spread  so  widely.  No  doubt  a 
bird  died  now  and  then,  but  the  matter  rested 
there ;    epidemics    were    unknown.     But   since 


henhouse.     To  insure   a   beautiful   appearance      so  much  is  written  in  the  agricultural  press, 


A    DuT(  II   U(M  K,  ( ,riui>l'i:L   I5keed 


A  Silver  Bkaekel  He.\ 
A  celebrated  prize  winner 


the  hoods  are  carefully  washed  when  the  birds 
are  sent  to  shows  and  fairs.  The  chicks  are  magazines,  and  poultry  journals  about  the  breed- 
hard  to  raise  ;  out  of  fifty  only  a  few  are  hand-  ing  of  the  feathered  tribes,  fowls  are  more 
some  or  fit  for  exhibition.     Consequently  the  closely  observed   and   studied.    Poultry  yards 


THE  GALLINACEOUS  TRIBES 


241 


spring  from  the  soil  like  mushrooms,  only  to 
disappear  almost  immediately.    To  what  must 
we  attribute  this  disappearance  ?    To  disease 
and  the  imprudence  of  breeders.    The  countries 
that  have  suffered  most  from  these  diseases 
are  Germany,  parts  of  Belgium,  and  the  Neth- 
erlands.    So  far,  America  has  felt  the  scourge 
less  than  other  lands,  for  the  good  reason  that 
in  importing  fowls  from  other  countries  she 
has  taken  precaution  to  secure  only  the  best 
and  most  healthy  individuals. 

Disease  may  be  controlled  by  keeping  the 
poultry  yards  and  houses  extremely  clean  and 
by  watching  them  incessantly,  for  vermin  will 
make  their  appearance.  It  is  easy  to  get  rid 
of  lice,  the  worst  enemy  of  fowls,  by  rubbing 
their  wings  and  hind  quarters  with  petroleum. 
The  birds  must  also  be  made  to  take  sand 
baths.  If  lice  are  not  attacked  and  conquered 
in  time,  great  harm  may  result.  Hens  thus 
affected  cease  to  lay,  and  will  languish  and 
die  ;  while  the  chicks,  which  suffer  even  more 
from  this  pest,  will  share  the  same  fate  if 
prompt  and  efficacious  measures  are  not  taken. 
When  lice  appear  breeders  sometimes  think 
that    they   are   dealing   with   another   disease, 


space  to  discuss  here  the  treatment  of  other 
maladies,  but  much  will  have  been  done  to 
prevent  or  to  cure  them  if  the  advice  we  have 
now  given  be  followed.      Many  of  the  diseases 


A  Hen  with  Young  Ducklings 

are  caused,  and  all  are  aggravated,  by  the 
presence  of  lice,  and  the  surest  way  to  keep 
poultry  in  good  health  is  to  fight  the  disease 
in  the  germ. 

One  has  only  to  take  a  walk  through 
the  markets  of  any  large  city  to  have 
an  idea  of  the  great  proportions  of  the 
American  poultry  trade. 

XI.    Ducks 

Every  country  has  its  specialty. 
Thus  there  are  some  in  which  the 
raising  of  ducks  in  vast  numbers  is 
practiced,  and  that  in  a  veiy  lucrative 
manner,  because  the  supply  never 
equals   the  demand. 

Breeders  of  ducks  know  well  how 
to  conform  to  circumstances,  and  as 
it  is  easy  to  dispose  of  ducklings  that 
are  from  eight  to  twelve  weeks  old, 
they  never  let  them  grow  a  day  older, 
A  Ladder  for  the  H.m'.ies  j^s   they  can    get   no   more   profit  by 

Photo  J.  T.  Newman,  Berkhampstead  j^jj^g   g^       -pj^jg   businCSS  is   especially 

but  inspection  is  sufficient  to  undeceive  them,  lucrative  when  done  systematically  with  a  good 
Cleanliness  alone  will  save  the  breeders  much  breed  in  the  neighborhood  of  large  cities  or 
loss    and   vexation.     We    have    not    sufficient      towns,  provided  sufficient  space  can  be  had. 


?42 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


^^,-.  ,r,^: 


-•••<;-> 


IxcLosL'Ki';  lOK  Ducks 
Photo  J.  T.  Newman,  Berkhampstead 

It  is  not  possible  to  keep  ducks  in  coops 
or  inclosures  like  fowls  ;  they  prefer  an  open 
field  with  running  water  in  it,  where  they  are  in 
their  element.  They  do  not  need  much  food 
because  they  provide  in  a  great  measure  for 
themselves.  Far  from  being  lazy,  they  are 
always  waddling  about  to  satisfy  their  gluttony. 
They  eat  anything,  and  are  capital  destroyers 


of  snails  and  grubs.  In  the 
neighborhood  of  Oudenarde 
(eastern  Flanders)  more  than 
a  hundred  thousand  ducklings 
are  raised  annually.  Breeding 
begins  in  November  and  ends 
in  April.  The  land  on  which 
the  ducklings  are  raised  con- 
sists usually  of  fields  belong- 
ing to  the  village,  ox  covimuiie, 
which  allows  pasturage  for  the 
young  birds  from  November 
to  April,  after  which  time  the 
fields  are  reserved  for  cattle. 
All  de\'ote  themselves  to  rais- 
ing ducks,  and  as  it  is  some- 
times difficult  for  the  owners 
to  distinguish  their  birds,  a 
brush  of  paint  is  found  useful. 
Hence  ducks  may  be  seen  in  the  markets  with 
blue  wings,  green  wings,  etc. 

After  quitting  the  eggs  (wliich  are  generally 
hatched  by  hens,  chiefly  the  speckled  Mecklin 
hen)  they  are  shut  up  for  a  few  days  and  fed 
on  soft  food — wheat,  barley,  and  oats  ground 
\.\\>  and  mi.xed  with  hard-boiled  egg.  After 
this  they  are  let  out  into  the  field  and  supplied 


Wn.D  Ducks 


THE  GALLINACEOUS   TRIBES 


243 


Indian   Runm.k   I)h  k>  (.\1ai,I'.  ami  I  k-mali:) 

with  animal  food,  which  is  essential  to  their 
growth.  The  breeder  puts  on  big  wooden 
shoes  and  proceeds  to  kick  up  the  earth  in  the 
field  in  order  to  force  out  the  worms  whicli 
form  the  animal  food  of  the  ducklings.  It  is 
very  comical  to  those  who  are  present 
at  this  performance  for  the 
first  time  to  see  these  men 
hojjping  about  their  fields. 
Most  of  the  young  ducks, 
as  we  have  already  said,  are 
not  kept  longer  than  twelve 
weeks,  because  after  that  time  it  is  diffi- 
cult to  sell  them  on  account  of  the  new 
feathers  which  then  begin  to  grow.  To  have 
well-fertilized  eggs  from  the  old  ducks  not  more 
than  six  or  eight  should  be  given  to  one  drake. 
They  must  also  have  sufficient  water  within 
reach,  either  flowing  naturally  through  the 
field  or  in  artificial  ponds. 

In  America  we  have  special  establishments 
for  the  raising  of  ducks,  many  of  which  raise 
twenty  thousand  yearly.  For  this  it  is  neces- 
sary to  have  great  knowledge  and  experience, 
and  also  a  large  capital.  Most  duck-raising 
establishments  are  provided  with  a  natural  flow 
of  water,  and  have  coops  or  shelters  accom- 
modating from  forty  to  fifty  birds.  As  these 
establishments  are  of  great  e.xtent  many  of 
them  are  furnished,  for  convenience,  with  little 
railways  built  four  or  five  feet  above  the  soil, 
which  cause  an  enormous  savintr  of  time  and 


Si'ICEU 


trouble  in  the  distribution  of  food.  As  yet 
Europe  has  no  such  establishments  as  ours. 
She  will  doubtless  have  them  some  day  when 
her  attention  is  called  to  them  and  she  makes 
a  special  study  of  their  advantages. 

It  is  easier  to  raise  ducks  than  fowls,  pro- 
vided the  breeder  has  sufficient  space  at  his 
command.  They  give  less  trouble  and  are  al- 
most completely  free  from  disease.  Those  most 
frequently  met  with  are  the  Komii  duck,  a 
product  of  French  breeders,  which  may,  by 
good  right,  be  considered  one  of  the  very  best 
species.  They  are  often  admired  in  their  full 
beauty  at  poultry  shows,  to  which  they  are  sent 
in  large  numbers.  They  are  not  only  beautiful 
birds  but  also  fine  layers,  and  the  same  may  be 
said  of  another  French  duck,  the  Toulouse. 

Good  ducks  are  found  in  Belgium,  where  they 
are  taking  pains  to  make  their  national  breeds 
famous.  In  England  the  duck  par  cxcclhnce 
is  the  Aylesbury,  which  has  made  itself  famous 
for  its  good  qualities.  It  is  very 
hardy,  grows  very  fast,  and 
lays  man\'  eggs.  There  is 
no  poultry  show  in  any 
country  where  it  will  not 
l)e  seen,  and  the  impression 
it  makes  is  most  agreeable,  with 
its  white  plumage,  red  beak,  and  yel- 
low legs.  The  Pckin  duck,  which  the 
uninitiated  can  seldom  distingLiish  from  the 
Aylesbury  duck,  has  also  made  itself  a  reputa- 
tion for  its  excellence  ;  as  far  as  popularity  is 
concerned  it  untloubtedly  occupies  a  foremost 


'_1-IL 


>i^-\!r 


Muscovv  Ducks  (Male  and  Female) 


244 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


position.  In  the  United  States  a  larger  num- 
ber of  white  Pekin  ducks  are  raised  for  market 
than  of  any  other  breed. 

If  there  is  a  species  that  has  rapidly  made 
itself  a  world-wide  reputation,  it  is  the  duck  of 
India.  Not  long  ago  this  breed  was  completely 
unknown  to  us,  and  now  it  is  offered  for  sale 
in  every  poultry  journal  in  every  land.  It  is 
one  of  the  most  fertile  of  ducks,  laying  from 
150  til   160  eggs  a  year.     It  is  also  very  good 


XII.    Geese 

The  breeding  of  geese  is  far  from  being 
general.  Like  that  of  ducks,  it  is  done  on  a 
large  scale  only  in  certain  countries.  Fanciers 
raise  a  few,  but  only  for  the  purpose  of  send- 
ing them  to  shows.  Here  and  there  a  few 
large  farms  have  attempted  to  raise  them, 
gi\-ing  it  up  after  a  time  as  unproductive. 
Breeding  on  a  large  scale  is  practiced  only 
in  the  south  of  France,  near  Toulouse,  in  the 


Geesi;  fattening  for  the  Market 

Photo  J.  T.  Newman,  Berkhampstead 


for  the  table,  its  flesh  being  extremely  delicate. 
It  is  very  active  and  can  fly  far.  These  birds 
have  no  absolute  need  of  water  ;  they  prefer  to 
roam  the  meadows  and  fields  in  search  of 
worms  and  other  grubs. 

Various  species  of  decorative  ducks  e.xist ; 
of  these  the  Madeiras  and  the  Carolinas  are 
the  most  beautiful.  They  are  usually  kept  in 
aviaries  and  zoological  gardens.  The  wild 
ducks  of  the  mountains  and  the  fens  are 
very  beautiful  in  plumage,  but  they  cannot  be 
classed  as  domestic  animals. 


south  of  Belgium,  in  the  east  of  Prussia,  in 
Italy,  and  in  Russia,  all  of  which  supply  the 
markets  of  other  countries.  Russia  especially 
inundates  the  German  markets.  The  business 
is  very  productive  because  the  feeding  of  geese 
costs  nothing.  A  goose  needs  no  other  food 
than  grass,  which  it  finds  in  sufficient  quantity 
on  the  vast  steppes  of  Russia.  The  goose  girl 
goes  to  the  fields  every  morning  with  her  flock, 
returning  at  night  to  the  village. 

If  geese   had   to  be   fed  on  grain  it   would 
not    pay   to    raise    them ;    the   expense   would 


THE  GALLINACEOUS   TRIBES 


245 


be  greater  than  the  price  re- 
ceived for  them.  It  is  onl\- 
during  the  first  three  or  four 
weeks  that  it  is  advisable 
to  give  the  goslings  a  little 
ground  grain,  carefully  mixed. 
The  eggs  must  be  hatched  not 
by  geese  but  by  turkeys  or 
large  fowls.  To  have  eggs  well 
fertilized  the  geese  must  li\c 
near  a  pond  or  running  water. 
The  gander  should  not  be  less 
than  two  years  old  nor  ha\c 
more  than  four  geese  with 
him.  Though  geese  are  very 
hardy  and  cold  has  little  influ- 
ence up(jn  them,  it  is  well  to  give  them  a  com- 
fortable home.    A  shed  can  be  made  with  a  few 


Till-:  Arrival  <if  tin-;  Fhkdicr 

stakes  and  thatch,  and  the  floor  covered  with 
oat  straw,  which  should  be  turned  over  every 
second  day  and  renewed  weekly.  In  summer 
geese  almost  always  sleep  in  the  open  and  do 
not  seek  shelter.  They  are  not  good  layers  ;  the 
best  breeds  will  seldom  give  more  than  thirty 
eggs  a  year.  It  is  difficult  to  distinguish  the 
male  from  the  female  ;  only  experience  can  teach 
one.  The  gander  is  built  more  heavily  and  the 
head  and  neck  are  coarser.  Their  strength  is 
amazing  and  caution  is  required  in  catching  them, 
for  their  wing  blows  are  severe  ;  they  strike  with 
such  force  as  sometimes  to  break  the  arm  of 
their  captor.     It  is  best  to   take   them   by  the 


A   F.X.MIT.V    or    (iKESE 

neck,  for  then  the}'  have  less  chance  to  defend 
themselves.  Geese  have  one  special  merit  — 
they  are  good  guardians  of  the  farm. 
If  there  is  the  slightest  disturbance 
during  the  night  they  know  it  and 
give  warning,  and  if  a  stranger 
comes  upon  the  premises  they  make 
a  terrible  noise.  Tramps  are  not  to 
be  feared  if  geese  are  about.  There 
is  a  Belgian  story  of  a  certain  goose, 
fifteen  years  old  at  least,  which 
always  slept  in  a  dog's  kennel  and 
regularly  accompanied  him  when  he 
was  harnessed  to  his  cart,  and  it  is 
said  that  three  times  she  drove 
thieves  away  from  it.  Hence  she 
was  honored  as  a  heroine. 


Toulouse  Geese 


246 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Chinese  Geese 

The  best  known  species  is  the  giant  goose 
of  Toulouse.  Its  ordinary  weight  is  from  six- 
teen to  eighteen  pounds,  but  it  has  been  known 
to  reach  twenty-four.  This  bird  is  much  in 
demand.  The  best  part  of  a  goose  is  its  liver, 
which  is  a  feast  for  epicures.  It  is  exported 
to  all  parts  of  the  world,  but  the  largest  quan- 
tity is  consumed  in  Paris.  Next  in  value  to 
the  liver  are  the  feathers,  which  are  plucked 
from  the  bird  every  year  in  a  very  cruel 
manner.  It  would  be  best  to  perform  this 
operation  during  the  molting  season,  when 
the  birds  would  suffer  less,  but  as  a  gen- 
eral thing  no  one  pays  the  least  attention 
to  that  consideration,  and  the  feathers  are 
plucked  out  whenever  the  breeder  sees  fit 
to  do  so. 

The  Ponuranian  goose  is  also  a  fine 
species,  but  is  little  known  in  this  coun- 
try ;  it  is  tall  and  well  made,  thanks  to  the 
fact  that  the  inhabitants  never  pluck  it. 
In  Germany  these  geese  are  driven  for  days 
from  one  town  to  another  before  reaching 
their    market,    in    flocks    of    four    or    five 


hundred  in  charge  of  one  man.  Geese  are 
good  travelers,  not  being  easily  fatigued. 
They  are  proof  against  all  diseases  except 
cholera,  which,  when  once  started,  makes 
great  ravages  among  them. 

We  must  also  mention  the  Euibden  goose, 
likewise  a  German  species  and  somewhat 
known  here.     It  is  all  white  with  a  very 
long  neck,   and  is   more  elegant   than  the 
Pomeranian.     Its  medium  weight  is  twenty 
pounds,  though  it  has  been  known  to  reach 
twenty-eight.     The  feathers  of  this  breed 
are  much  in  demand.     It  lays  but  few  eggs, 
twenty  annually  at  most.     Ihn  giant  goose 
of  Italy  is   the  only  one  of  the  kind  that 
lays    well,    producing   about    sixty   eggs  a 
year.     It   is  also  very  heavy,  but  its  flesh 
is  of  an  inferior  quality.    Other  less-known 
breeds,  such  as  the  Cliinese geese,  are  usually 
found  in  zoological  gardens  and  other  pub- 
lic  exhibits.     Now  that  so  much  stress  is 
being  laid  on  the  necessity  for  greater  care 
in  the  breeding  of  poultry,  it  is  to  be  hoped 
that  geese  will  profit  by  it,  and  that  breed- 
ers will  learn  to  raise  them  in  other  ways  than 
those  practiced  to-day.    The  breeding  of  geese 
has  as   yet    received   but   little   attention,   but 
breeders  will  realize  great  profits  the  moment 
they  learn  right  methods,  and  so  will  contribute 
to  the  prosperity  of  their  country  and  to  the 
well-being  of  trade  and  farming. 


Ger.m.\n  Geese 


THE  GALLINACEOUS   TRIBES 


^47 


Emuden  Geese 


XIII.    Turkeys 

It  is  known  that  this  superb  bird  is  of  Ameri- 
can origin,  and  that  it  was  introduced  by 
sailors  and  explorers  into  Europe,  where  it  is 
regarded  as  a  domestic  animal,  and  much  care 
has  been  taken  in  breedinff  it.     Crossinijs  have 


A  Pair  of  American  Bronze  Turkeys 


been  made  which  hax'c  resulted  in  new  varieties. 
The  best  known  species  is  the  bronze  turkey  of 
America.  It  is,  without  contradiction,  a  noble 
bird,  which  can  bring  in  great  profits.  It  is 
still  to  be  found  in  its  wild  state  in  certain 
parts  of  the  United  States,  where  it  lives  in 
flocks  of  from  twenty  to  fifty  and 
even  one  hundred  birds.  It  was  soon 
seen  what  profits  there  would  be  in 
raising  these  turkeys,  and  great 
establishments  were  made  for  the 
purpose.  Europe  followed  the  ex- 
ample of  America,  and  now  there  is 
scarcely  a  large  farm  on  which  these 
birds  are  not  kept.  It  is  an  acknowl- 
edged fact  that  they  are  the  best  of 
hatchers ;  from  twenty  to  twenty- 
four  eggs  may  be  intrusted  to  them, 
whence  their  name  of  "  living  incuba- 
tors." They  are  also  excellent  care- 
takers and  guardians  of  their  flocks. 
To  inexperienced  persons  the  rais- 
ing  of    turkeys    offers    little   or  no 


248 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


profit,  because  the  young  are  much  more  diffi-  of  a  woman  who  crosses  the  village  every  morn- 
cult  to  bring  up  than  chickens.  For  hundreds  ing  with  her  flock  on  her  way  to  the  open  fields, 
of  years  in  France  (a  country  well  adapted  to  On  her  return  at  night  each  bird  knows  where 
poultry)  the  raising  of  turkeys  has  been  a  great  it  belongs  and  goes  there,  never  making  a  mis- 
industrv,  and  the   finest  specimens  are  found  take.    All  the  villagers  do  not  need  a  male  bird. 


Turkeys  in  a  Field 


there.  The  Sohg-itc  turkey  is  unsurpassed.  It  a  few  being  sufficient  for  a  flock.  It  is  a  real 
is  a  superb  animal  of  a  brilliant  black  color,  pleasure  to  see  these  creatures  marching 
though  some  (but  these  are  usually  small)  are      proudly  along,  with  wings  deployed  and  feathers 


white  or  steel-blue.  A  Sologne  turkey  which 
attained  the  enormous  weight  of  forty-five 
pounds  carried  off  the  highest  honors  at  all 
the  shows  to  which  he  was  sent.  At  Madrid, 
in  1902,  he  even  had  the  honor  of  attracting  the 
attention  of  the  young  king  and  his  mother,  the 
queen  regent.     During  the  return  journey  this 


raised.    They   advance  with   the    gravity  of   a 
ruler  in  the  midst 
of  his  subjects. 

The  white  tur- 
key is  likewise  a 
superb    animal 


Young  Turkeys 


turkey  took  cold,  and  when  he  had  scarcely  re- 
covered he  was  killed  by  a  scoundrel,  who  paid 
for  his  crime  by  six  months'  imprisonment. 

There  are  villages  in  France  where  turkeys 
are  kept  at  the  public  expense,  under  the  care 


breed  is  easily  distinguished  from  the  Sologne. 
The  latter  is  larger  and  attains  a  weight  of  from 
twenty-five  to  thirty  pounds,  while  the  former 
weighs  only  from  eighteen  to  twenty.  Their 
flesh   is   excellent   and   much   in   demand.     In 


THE  GALLINACEOUS   TRIBES 


249 


England,  as  in  the  United  States,  the  chief  dish  ^^V-    Swans 

at  the  Christmas  dinner  is  a  turkey  artistically  The  record  of  the  winged  domestic  animals 

trussed  and  decorated.  of  the  farm,  the  house,  or  the  country  place  is 

Turkeys  do  not  require  much  food  and  do  not  complete  if  no  mention  is  made  of  the  .ttiv?;/, 
well  on  farms  which  possess  extensive  fields  that  graceful  ornament  of  lakes  and  ponds. 
over  which  they  can  roam. 
Too  much  care  cannot  be 
given  to  protect  the  young 
birds  from  the  hot  sun  and 
from  rainstorms,  for  they  are 
extremely  delicate  ;  but  if  this 
care  is  given  they  will  grow 
and  develop  rapidly.  The 
adults  are  strong  and  vigor- 
ous and  little  subject  to  dis- 
ease. It  is  not  necessary  to 
change  the  male  every  year. 
The  food  of  the  young  birds  Turkeys  in  a  Park 

consists   especially  of  wheat, 
barley,  oats,  and  Indian  corn,  coarsely  ground      Though  now  and  then  capricious  to  strangers 


and  made  into  a  paste  that  is  easy  to  crumble  ; 
also  hard-boiled  eggs  mixed  with  chopped  alfalfa 
or  clover  and  stale  bread  should  be  added  to 
their  bill  of  fare. 

The  raising  of  turkeys  is  one  of   the  finest 


and  furious  to  its  enemies,  it  is  in  reality  a  very 
docile  bird,  and  a  pair  of  swans  are  a  model  of 
peace  and  domestic  happiness.  But  woe  to  him 
who  risks  annoying  the  mother  or  steps  too 
near  to  the  progeny  if  the  father  is  near  !     He 


and  most  interesting  of  occupations  and  ought      will  surely  attack  both  men  and  dogs,  as  well 
to  be  practiced  far  more  than  it  is  at  present,      as  aquatic  animals,  with  vigorous  blows  of  his 

powerful  wings. 

Swans  make  their  own  nests  and 
require  little  care  ;  but  when  it  is  a 
question  of  raising  valuable  swans, 
it  is  well  to  construct  a  little  island 
in  the  middle  of  the  pond  or  arti- 
ficial lake  for  the  mother  and  to 
build  upon  it  a  shelter  filled  with 
straw.  The  number  of  eggs  laid  is 
usually  from  six  or  eight  to  twelve, 
which  the  mother  broods  upon 
for  thirty-six  days,  while  the  father 
mounts  guard  faithfully.  Soon 
after  the  young  swans  are  hatched 
they  bravely  take  to  the  water  and 
swim  after  their  parents  in  search 
The  movement  should  be  started  in  the  United  of  their  natural  food,  or  of  the  barley,  oats,  or 
States  ;  and  only  when  we  figure  up  our  pro-  cooked  potatoes  that  are  thrown  to  them, 
ductions  and  profits  at  some  international  poul-  For  many  persons   the  swan  is  a  source  of 

try    show    will   turkeys    arouse    the    attention      revenue.    Its  down  and  beautiful,  strong  wings 
they  deserve.  bring  good  returns,  subject,  however,   to  the 


A  Swan's  Nest 


250 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


caprices   of  fashion   and   the    customs    of   the  was  discovered,  they  say,  in  1668  by  the  sailors 

country.    We  no  longer  use  swans'  quills  for  of  the  East  India  Company,  who  brought  it  to 

pens  ;    nor    do    we   believe    in    the   chariot   of  Europe,  where  it  was  speedily  bred  and  raised. 

Lohengrin  and   the  young   swan-maidens  who  Millions    still    people    the    lakes    of    southern 


The  Bosom  of  the  Family 


attended  the  Valkyria  and  who  played  so  prom- 
inent a  part  in  ancient  legends. 

Swans  are  to  be  found  everywhere  e.xcept 
in  the  tropics.  About  ten  species  have  been 
discovered,  of  which  the  best  known  are  the 
domestic  swans,  both  white  and  black. 

The  white  swan  is  the  largest  species.  Its 
red  beak,  especially  in  the  males,  is  furnished 
with  a  sort  of  protuberance,  and  its  legs  are 
black.  The  young  swans  are  gray  when  born, 
and  do  not  have  their  dazzling  white  color  until 


Bl.ack  Swaxs 

they  are  two  years  old.  There  is,  however,  a 
species,  or  sport,  which  is  white  with  white 
legs  from  its  birth. 

Seen  alone  in  our  ponds,  the  black  swan  has 
a  rather  somber  aspect,  but  in  company  with 
the  white  swans  it  produces  a  fine  effect.     It 


Australia,  where  they  live  in  a  wild  state  in 
company  with  the  wild  or  singing  swan,  which 
is  known  by  its  beak,  half  black,  half  citron- 
yellow,  and  which,  when  tamed,  is  unwilling 
to  hatch  its  eggs.  It  is  probably  this  wild 
swan  which  has  given  rise  to  many  poetical 
ideas,  especially  that  of  the  swan's  song;  for 
it  does  in  reality  make  a  sound  which  might 
be  taken  for  a  species  of  song.  There  was 
fine  in  Bremen  in  1856,  which  had  many 
listeners  from  far  and  near ;  and  certain 
writers  make  mention,  as  of 
a  natural  fact,  that  singing 
swans  inhabit  the  shores  of 
the  North  Sea,  especially  to 
the  east  of  Holstein. 

The  swan  with  a  black  neck 
holds  a  middle  place  between 
the  two  preceding  species. 
Comparatively,  it  has  been 
known  only  of  late,  and  it 
was  not  until  1S80  that  young 
^^A  ones  were  successfully  raised 
"•^BBP  at  the  Jardin  des  Plantes  in 
Paris.  A  native  of  South 
America,  it  is  now  acclimated 
throughout  nearly  the  whole 
of  Europe.  The  sharp  division  between  the 
dazzling  white  body  and  the  black  neck  makes 
the  bird  a  much-desired  though  costly  ornament 
to  ponds  and  lakes.  It  keeps  usually  at  a  cer- 
tain distance  from  the  other  swans  unless  it 
makes  war  upon  them.     The  protuberance  on 


THE  GALLINACEOUS   TRIBES 


251 


the  beak  is  red,  while  the  beak  itself  is  gray. 
The  legs  are  also  red. 

A  species  less  known  by  private  individuals 
and  less  seen  on  the  artificial  waters  of  a  city 
is    the   tninipci   sivaiK  v.-hich   is   very  easy   to 


the  house.  In  Belgium  a  flock  of  swans  are  daily 
guests  at  the  casino  of  the  officers  of  the 
"  Guards."  This  casino  stands  close  to  the  canal 
of  the  city,  and  near  it  are  steps  leading  down  to 
the  water.     Every  afternoon  the  swans  come 


WllITF.    Sw.ANS 


propagate  in  its  captive  state,  but  it  is  not  so 
welcome  as  it  might  be,  on  account  of  its  noisy 
trumpetings. 

Generally,  in  a  peaceful  neighborhood,  swans 
can  be  brought  to  behave  as  domestic  animals  ; 
that  is  to  say,  to  come  out  of  the  water  and  seek 
their  food  in  a  certain  place,  often  very  near  to 


out  of  the  canal,  go  up  the  steps,  and  across  the 
street  to  the  kitchen  of  the  casino,  where  they 
knock  with  their  beaks  on  the  floor.  Their  meal 
is  given  to  them,  and  then,  at  the  command  of 
the  head  cook,  they  return  to  the  canal  in  line, 
paying  no  attention  to  dogs,  carriages,  or  an}'- 
thing  else  encountered  on  their  way. 


X 

RABBITS 


[■ 

1 

1 

^Jl^^ 

1 

i 

|fi| 

Wk 

1 

I^H^S 

t.-    -  -  . 

Rabbits  are  often  raised  with  poultry,  but  the  Continent  the  rabbits  they  need  for  food, 
it  is  only"  recently  that  this  form  of  industry  They  ini]iort  them  annually  by  millions  from 
has  aroused  any  interest  among  us,  though  for  France,  Belgium,  the  Netherlands,  and  Aus- 
tralia. The  English  working- 
man  cannot  do  without  the 
rabbit  stew  which  forms  his 
Sunday  dinner.  Since  the 
founding  of  the  Dutch  associ- 
atiim  in  1S97  the  breeding  of 
rabbits  in  Holland  has  become 
so  extensive  that  in  1902 
breeders  were  able  to  send 
two  million  dollars'  worth  to 
the   En£;lish  market. 


I.    Breeding  .and  Raising 

The  rabbit  is  not  particular 
about  its  food  and  can  be  kept 
at  small  cost.  Yet,  if  persons 
wish  to  succeed,  care  and  at- 
tention are  necessary.  Rabbits  well  cared  for 
are  not  to  be  despised  as  food.  They  require, 
first  of  all,  good  cjuarters,  which  are  seldom  given 
them.  In  Europe  workingmen  and  peasants  usu- 
ally keep  them  in  filthy  hutches  often  filled  with 
manure.  Instead  of  cleaning  these  hutches 
weekly,  the  owners  merely  throw  in 
a  handful  of  fresh  straw. 
Good  sense  should 
teach  them  the  im- 
possibility of  keep- 
ing animals  healthy 
under  such  condi- 
tions. In  these  same 
hutches  the  females 
gi\e  birth  to  their  young, 
and  it  is  not  surprising  that  the 
little  ones  die  in  great  numbers 
simply  from  lying  on  filth.  Many 
ignorant  breeders  imagine  that  they  die  because 
some  one  has  touched  the  nest  !  There  is  no 
danger  in  touching  the  young  rabbits,  provided 


A    D.\RK    SlLVKR    R.VUHIT 

centuries  it  has  been  carried  on  in  France  and 
Belgium,  where  the  rabbit  is  commonly  used 
for  food. 

In  Germany  there  was  no  serious  attempt 
at  breeding  rabbits  until  after  the  War  of  1870, 
when  the  German  soldiers  saw  the  attention 
given  to  the  industry  by  French- 
men, and  the  profits  i 
afforded,  whereupon 
on  their  return 
home,  they  began 
to  import  French 
rabbits,  which 
were  much  larger 
than  the  little  Ger 
man  animals  found  here 
and  there  on  farms.  Associations 
having  for  their  object  the  breedin, 
rabbits  were  formed  by  the  hundred, 
while  conferences  and  exhibitions  were  held. 
The  chief  work  in  this  line  is  done  in  England, 
though  the  English  still  prefer  to  obtain  from 


of 


A  r.uK 


RAI; 


1-    KibSl-A\ 
BITS 


RABBITS 


253 


An  English  Lop-Eared  Raiuut  (  Fi:male) 


the  owner  or  the  person  who 
feeds  them  does  it.  Rabbits 
are  afraid  of  strangers,  and  if 
they  approach,  the  terrified 
mother  will  jump  upon  her 
young  to  protect  them,  and 
in  so  doing  smother  them. 

To  raise  rabbits  with  profit 
it  is  necessary,  above  all,  to 
have  suitable  hutches,  for 
which  purpose  large  bo.xes  or 
barrels  can  be  used.  If  bo.xes 
are  chosen  they  must  be  so 
placed  that  they  will  be  dry 
and  sanitary.  The  hutches 
for  the  females,  w^hich  should 
always  be  rather  larger  than 


those  for  the  males,  must  be  three  feet  long, 
two  and  a  half  feet  wide,  and  twenty  inches 
deep.  They  must  be  provided  with  lattice 
doors.  When  the  mother  rabbit  is  about  to 
bring  forth  young  she  should  be  placed  in 
a  "  nest  hutch."  It  is  not  necessary  that  this 
should  be  the  size  of  the  above,  and  the  open- 
ing need  be  only  large  enough  for  the  mother 
to  pass  through,  with  a  few  holes  above  for 
ventilation.  The  young  ones  will  then  be  well 
lodged  and  protected  against  inclemencies  of 
weather.  Above  all,  it  is  necessary  to  make 
sure    that    these    hutches    be   placed   in   dry 


An  English   Lop-Earkd  Rabkit  (Male) 


A    I.EPORIDE    RaBRIT    (FEMALE) 


situations,  as  in  a  barn  or 
shed,  where  neither  wind  nor 
rain  can  reach  them.  If  the 
rabbits  must  be  kept  out  of 
doors,  a  shed  made  of  planks 
and  covered  with  tar  paper 
should  be  built  over  the 
hutches  ;  the  roof  should  be 
tarred  and  the  inside  parti- 
tions whitewashed. 

If  it  is  desired  to  have  a 
good  rabbit  home,  several 
bo.xes  of  uniform  size  may  be 
placed  together  in  groups  of 
three  or  more.  They  should 
never  stand  directly  on  the 
ground,  but  should  be  raised 


254 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


some  four  or  five  inches.  Those  that  are  kept 
in  the  open  air  must  face  the  sun.  Casks  or 
barrels,  especially  kerosene  barrels,  may  also 
be  used.    These  should  be  laid  on  low  trestles, 


A  BLUE-Axn-T.AN   Rabbit 

with  the  bung  on  the  under  side,  so  that  liquids 
may  run  off  easily  ;  and  an  opening,  with  a  door 
of  slats  covered  with  netting,  to  prevent  the 
incursions  of  rats  and  mice,  should  be  made  at 
one  end  of  the  barrel.  If  a  kerosene  barrel  is 
used  the  inside  must  be  burned  out  to  remove 

the  smell.     The   scheme  of      

using  barrels,  which  is  con- 
venient and  pretty,  is  frequent 
in  France. 

Rabbits  used  for  breeding- 
must  be  at  least  seven  months 
old.  The  male  and  female 
should  never  be  left  alone 
together  for  a  day  and  night, 
or  they  will  fight.  The 
mother  rabbit  gives  birth  to 
eight  or  nine  young  ones  at 
the  end  of  thirty  days.  A  few 
days  before  the  birth  the 
hutch  should  be  thoroughly 
cleansed  and  furnished  with 
soft  oat  straw  and  hay.  The  mother  will  then 
be  seen  to  make  her  nest  with  extreme  care. 
She  begins  by  carrying  into  one  corner  all  the 
hay  and  straw  ;  she  then  makes  a  hollow  in  this 


and  lines  it  with  fur  pulled  from  her  breast,  to 
make  a  soft,  warm  bed  for  her  progeny.  When 
the  young  rabbits  have  arrived  the  mother 
should  be  given  something  juicy,  —  a  carrot  or 
turnip,  or  perhaps  a  little 
warm  milk  and  water,  —  to 
prevent  her  from  de\ouring 
the  little  ones,  which  very 
often  happens  if  she  is  fever- 
ish and  thirsty  and  does  not 
know  what  she  is  about. 
Thirst  tortures  her,  but  if  she 
gets  something  to  allay  it  all 
goes  well. 

The  day  after  the  birth  the 
nest  should  be  examined.  If 
some  of  the  young  ones  are 
dead  they  should,  of  course,  be 
taken  away.  Sometimes  the 
mother  gives  birth  to  ten  or 
a  dozen,  which  are  more  than 
she  can  comfortably  feed.  In 
that  case  some  of  them  should  be  killed,  leav- 
ing at  most  si.x  of  the  largest  with  the  mother. 
These  will  thrive  better  and  bring  more  profit 
than  if  all  had  been  left  alive. 

When  the  young  rabbits  are  six  weeks  old 
it  is  well  to  begin  to  wean  them,  but  not  all  at 


A  Giant  Flanders  Rabbit  (Female) 

the  same  time,  as  this  would  injure  the  mother. 
The  strongest  and  best  developed  should  be 
taken  away  first,  and  then  the  others  at  inter- 
vals of  a  day  or  two.    After  this  the  mother 


RABBITS 


255 


shiiuld  be  given  two  weeks'  rest,  during-  which 
time  she  must  be  suitably  fed,  so  as  to  reco\-er 
strength  before  she  proceeds  to  have  another 
litter.  After  the  young  rabbits  are  taken  from 
their  mother  the)'  should  be  placed  all  together 
in  one  hutch  until  they  are  three  months  old, 
the  age  at  which  the  sexes 
must  be  separated.  If  the 
rabbits  are  to  be  raised  for 
cooking  this  is  the  time  to 
begin  to  give  them  solid  food, 
for  at  five  months  they  ought 
to  be  killed  and  sold  profit- 
ably. A  new  male  should 
often  be  bought,  for  it  is  not 
prudent  to  raise  animals  too 
closely  related,  as  diseases 
and  debility   often  result. 

The  raising  of  rabbits  has 
a  financial  and  moral  interest 
for  the  boy.  If  he  has  a  real 
affection  for  his  animals  he 
will  take  care  of  them  on  his  return  from 
school  or  work  instead  of  loafing  in  the  street 
and  wasting  his  time.  All  that  concerns  their 
breeding  will  interest  him,  and  he  will  seek 
to  add  to  his  knowledge  by  e.xperience  and 
bv  reading  books  and  journals.  He  will  think 
and   reflect,  and  his  intelligence  will  develop. 


desired    persons    should    make    choice   among 


those  now  existing. 


II.    The  Y.vrious   Breeds 

\\'e  begin  with  the  king  of  rabbits,  the  giant 
rabbit  of  Flanders.     It  is  by  far  the  best  known 


A  Gi.\XT  \'iEN\.\   K.\i',r.iT  {.M.M.i:) 

Much  has  been  written  of  late  on  the  breed- 
ing of  rabbits  with  the  object  of  improving  the 
quality  of  their  flesh.  For  our  part  we  think 
this  useless,  nearly  all  the  present  species  being 
the    result   of   crossings.     If  a  good    breed   is 


A  VocNG  Giant  Fl.andf.rs  R.-muut 

breed,  and  no  exhibition  is  ever  held  in  which 
it  is  not  represented  in  great  numbers.  This 
rabbit  has  its  cradle  in  Flanders,  chiefly  about 
Ghent  and  \icinit)-,  where  especial  attention  is 
paid  to  its  breeding.  A  few-  years  ago,  owing 
to  the  vast  exportation  of  rabbits  to  foreign 
countries,  the  quality  of  the  meat  deteriorated 
and  the  number  of  buyers  diminished 
perceptibly.  The  association  of  the 
"Neerhof"  happily  intervened  in 
time  and  succeeded  in  obtaining  a 
subsidy  from  the  government  for  the 
purchase  of  male  rabbits  which  re- 
mained the  property  of  the  associa- 
M  tion.    Thus  the  best  specimens  were 

M  preserved,  good  breeding  made  great 

progress,  and  the  weight  of  the  ani- 
mals increased.     Only  a  few  are  fat- 
tened for  the  market,  and  those  are 
not  suitable  for  breeding.    The  color 
is  chiefly  fawn  or  iron-gray,  although 
sometimes  black,  steel-blue,  yellow,  and  white 
occur.   Animals  of  the  two  last-named  colors  are 
rare  and  not  as  large  as  those  of  other  colors. 
The  raising  of  these  giants  is  not  easy,  and 


-^^yufi 


much  experience  is   required   to   obtain   those 


256 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


A  Leporide  Hare-Colored  Rabbit 

that  are  strong  and  handsome.  At  Ghent  the 
business  is  chiefly  in  the  hands  of  the  working 
classes,  and  they  are  very  skillful  at  it,  which 
indeed  is  natural,  as  their  ancestors  did  it  be- 
fore them  and  transmitted  the  experience  from 
father  to  son.  We  sometimes  hear  it  said  that 
the  breeding  of  these  robust  and  handsome 
animals  is  a  secret  with  the  Ghent  producers, 
but  this  is  not  so.  There  is  no  secret,  but 
only  a  good  reason,  which  is  that  no  males  are 
ever  imported  from  foreign  parts.  The  Flemish 
giants  are  not  good  eating.  The  males  are  excel- 
lent for  improving  the  breed  of  common  rabbits. 

The  blue  giant  of  Vienna  is  one  of  the  latest 
novelties.  It  is  a  superb  crea- 
ture whose  dark  blue  fur  brings 
a  good  price  from  furriers.  It 
is  produced  by  crossing  the 
silver  rabbit  with  the  Flan- 
ders blue  giant.  Its  bones  are 
small  and  its  flesh  abundant 
and  excellent.  The  female  is 
very  prolific  and  at  the  same 
time  hardy. 

The  double  of  the  Vienna 
giant  is  the  bine  giant  of 
Beveren  (Flanders),  found  in 
great  numbers  in  the  region 
from  which  it  takes  its  name. 
It  is  not  the  product  of  any 
crossing  and  forms  a  species 
by  itself.     Its  fur  is  of  great 


value  and  is  thicker  and  closer  than 
that  of  the  Vienna  giant.  It  attains 
a  weight  of  from  seven  to  ten  pounds, 
which  it  cannot  exceed  without  les- 
sening the  value  of  the  fur.  Though 
this  breed  had  formerly  only  a  local 
reputation,  it  is  now  much  talked  of, 
and  is  seen  at  all  Belgian  exhibitions. 
The  Belgian  hare,  called  also  the 
hpoyich\  is  a  rabbit  of  Belgian  origin, 
though  it  is  not  raised  in  that  king- 
dom. It  descends  from  the  Flemish 
giant,  and  every  effort  has  been 
made  to  make  it  look  like  a  hare. 
Those  we  see  to-day  at  shows  in 
America  bear  a  striking  resemblance 
to  hares.  It  is  sometimes  stated  that  this  rab- 
bit is  the  product  of  crossings  with  the  wild 
field  hare,  but  that  is  a  legend  ;  the  male 
rabbit  cannot  be  mated  with  the  doe  hare.  If 
the  Belgian  hare  resembles  the  true  hare,  it  is 
due  to  the  pains  taken  in  breeding  it  across  the 
Channel.  It  is  really  in  itself  a  fine,  strong 
race,  interesting  and  prolific.  It  is  a  little  wild, 
to  be  sure,  but  gets  over  its  timidity  when 
accustomed  to  those  who  care  for  it.  Though  it 
never  attains  great  weight  (six  or  seven  pounds 
at  the  most),  its  flesh  is  very  savory.  This  breed 
was  imported  to  America  in  vast  numbers  a 
few  years  ago. 


A  French   Lop-Eaked  Rabbit 


RABBITS 


257 


The  Frencli  lop-cand  rabbit  may, 
by  good  right,  be  called  a  useful 
animal.  It  is  found  chiefly  in  France, 
though  it  is  not  unknown  in  Ger- 
many, where  it  has  been  imported  in 
large  numbers  ever  since  the  War 
of  1870,  when  the  German  soldiers 
discovered  its  merits.  Its  two  flop- 
ping ears  hang  down  on  each  side 
of  the  head  and  almost  touch  the 
ground.  It  comes  in  all  colors,  chiefly 
gray,  but  sometimes  steel-blue,  black, 
and  yellow. 

The  English  lop-fared  rabbit 
owes  its  existence  to  the  French 
breed.  In  England  novelty  is  de- 
sired, —  new  things  before  useful 
things.  A  rabbit's  ears  ought  to  be 
long !  At  first  breeders  of  the  ani- 
mals had  recourse  to  overheating  the 
habitations,  so  that  this  English  product  may 
rightly  be  called  a  hothouse  breed.  The  speci- 
mens seen  at  shows  are  smaller  than  the  French 
rabbit,  but  their  ears  are  much  longer,  those 
measuring  from  eighteen  to  twenty  inches  being 
by  no  means  uncommon.  Once  upon  a  time  this 
animal  was  all  the  fashion  in  England  ;  lately  it 
has  given  place  to  other  breeds.  In  the  matter 
of  utility  the  English  lop-eared  rabbit  is  worth 
absolutely  nothing,  for  it  is  feeble,  without  re- 
sistance to  disease,  and  serves  only  to  please 


A  Light   Su.ver  R.ahhit 


A  White  Angor.v  Rabbit 

amateurs  who  take  immense  pains  and  trouble 
solely  to  exhibit  it  at  shows. 

The  Angora  rabbit  is  one  of  the  most  beauti- 
ful species  that  exists,  and  also  one  of  the  most 
useful.  A  more  superb  animal  can  scarcely 
be  imagined.  The  fur  of  some  of  them  is  over 
four  inches  long.  The  skins  are  greatly  in  de- 
mand, and  all  sorts  of  useful  articles  are  made 
of  the  fin-,  —  undergarments,  stockings,  gloves, 
shawls,  and  even  stuffs.  The  undergarments 
are  specially  beneficial  to  gouty  persons.  This 
animal  is  often  raised  by  ladies 
as  a  pet  and  for  its  beauty, 
so  that  now  it  is  commonly 
called  "the  ladies'  rabbit." 
It  finds  more  admiring  breed- 
ers in  France  than  elsewhere. 
If  more  attention  were  given 
to  raising  it  in  other  coun- 
tries it  would  soon  become 
a  commercial  article  in  great 
demand.  At  present  manufac- 
turers cannot  obtain  enough 
of  its  fur  to  work  it  with  wide 
success.  It  could  certainly  be 
bred  most  profitably.  The 
female  is  very  prolific  and 
rears   her    young   with    ease. 


2vS 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


The  race  exacts  but  little  care,  is  seldom  ill, 
and  its  flesh  is  excellent.  These  Angora  rabbits 
should  be  combed  weekly  ;  if  neglected,  their 
appearance  is  woeful.    There  are  other  species 


A  Ditch   RAr.iirr 

besides  the  white  ;  the  Russian  Angoras,  white 
with  black  noses,  ears,  legs,  and  tails,  are 
comical   to  behold. 

The  silver  rabbits  are  also  splendid  animals, 
whose  skins  are  used  by  furriers  and  bring 
great  prices.  They  are  small  but  immensely 
prolific.  At  birth  the  little  ones  are  black,  at 
three  months  the  silver  hair  appears,  and  at 
four  months  they  have  their  true  color.  The 
light  colored  are  handsomer  than  the  dark 
colored,  but  the  two  shades 
must  never  be  mated,  or  the 
young  rabbits  will  be  either  too 
light  or  too  dark,  which  lessens 
considerably  the  commercial 
value  of  their  skins.  There  is 
also  a  silver-brown  and  a  silver- 
yellow  animal,  but  these  are 
seldom  or  never  met  with  in 
this  country.  The  two  first 
named  are  the  most  in  vogue. 
The  finest  specimens  have  a 
uniform  color ;  even  the  nose, 
paws,  and  tail  should  not  be 
darker  than  the  body. 

The  Dutcli  rabbit  is  much  the 
smallest  of  all  species.  It  is  not  difficult  to  raise, 
but  in  order  to  have  good  specimens  a  large  num- 
ber should  be  raised  and  the  finest  chosen  ;  the 
others  can  be  sold  to  the  markets.  When  the 
markings  are  very  clear  these  animals  are  ex- 
tremely handsome.     The  engraving  shows  one 


which  has  attained  very  high  distinction.  The 
culti\'ation  of  this  species  is  wholly  in  the  hands 
of  sporting  breeders,  especially  Englishmen. 
A  man  must  be  past  master  in  the  art  of  breed- 
ing, and  must  ha\e  practiced  it  for  years 
on  this  species,  to  obtain  satisfactory  re- 
sults. There  are  different  colors,  —  black, 
yellow,  steel-blue,  etc.  The  essential  thing 
is  to  choose  precisely  the  species  which 
will  improve  their  descendants  and  yet  keep 
as  near  as  possible  to  the  prototype.  Even 
in  Holland  this  indigenous  rabbit  has  many 
admirers,  who  are  encouraged  by  a  club 
founded  for  the  purpose,  and  by  the  prom- 
ise of  very  high  prizes  at  the  shows.  As  yet 
it  has  been  found  impossible  to  raise  a  breed 
of  which  the  \oung  shall  be  uniform  in  their 
markings.  The  Dutch  rabbit  is  not  particular 
about  its  food  and  costs  very  little  to  raise. 
Belgium  has  produced  a  rabbit  that  shows  some- 
what the  same  markings,  but  is  half  as  heavy 
again.  The  Brabant  rabbit  gives  excellent  meat 
and  is  exported  in  great  numbers  to  England. 
'\\\QRiissia)i  rabbit  is  most  curiously  marked. 
It  is  all  white  except  at  its  extremities,  the 
nose,  ears,  paws,  and  tail  being  jet-black.     The 


A  Russian  K.msi'.it 

blacker  these  extremities  the  greater  the  value. 
The  fur  is  very  thick  and  much  in  demand  by 
merchants.  It  is  one  of  the  smaller  species 
and  is  also  called  the  Himalaya  rabbit  because 
immense  numbers  are  fovmd  in  the  mountains 
of  that  name.     It   is  everywhere  admired  and 


RABBITS 


259 


is  often  raised  solely  as  a  decorative  animal. 

It  cannot  be  too  highly  recommended  for  its 

meat ;   it  is  very  prolific  and  the  young  rabbits 

make  a  delicious  stew.    At  birth  they  are  pink, 

the  white  comes  later,  and  the 

black  fur  does  not  appear  until 

they  are  four  months  old.    At 

si.\  months   they  are  in  their 

full  beauty  ;  at  the  end  of  a 

year  and  a  half  they  lose  it, 

because  by  that  time  the  black 

begins  to  turn  a  rusty  brown. 

To  preserve  this  fine  color  the 

hutches  must  be  kept  in  dark 

stables,  away  from  the  action 

of  the  sunlight.     This  is  one 

of  the  most  agreeable  rabbits 

to  raise. 

The  tricolor  Japan  rabbit 
is  very  like  the  tricolor  (other- 
wise called  "tortoise-shell") 
cat  and  is  the  product  of  the 
crossing  of  various  breeds.  These  rabbits  are 
not  much  in  vogue.  Their  colors  are  black, 
yellow,  and  a  dirty  white.  Generally  one  half 
of  the  head  is  yellow,  the  other  half  black  ;  the 
markings  on  the  back  and  sides  are  in  lines,  or 


its  snow-white  fur,  which  is  very  valuable  to 
furriers.  It  is  still  ciuite  rare  on  the  Continent. 
Children  delight  in  it.  Too  small  to  be  raised 
for  the  market,  it  is   nevertheless  often  eaten 


A  French  Papillox  (M.\le) 

in   rings  arovmd  the  body.     The  more  distinct 

these  markings  the  more  the  animal  is  \alued. 

The    Polish    rabbit,    of    English    origin,    is 

small ;  its  red  eyes  shine  out  pleasantly  from 


A  Tricolor  R.M'.r.ix  of  Jai'.w 

in  families,  for  its  flesh  is  good  when  young.    It 
has  a  large  progeny,  which  are  easy  to  raise. 

The    I-'niic/i   papilloii    {or    butterfly)    rabbit, 

also  a  small  species,  is  of  recent  date  ;   some 

years  ago  it  appeared  only  at  shows,  but,  being 

a  pretty  animal,  it  soon  found 

admirers    to    raise    it.     It    is 

white    with    black,   yellow, 

gray,  or  steel-blue  spots  placed 

with   some   regularity.     The 

nose  and  ears  must  always  be 

of  the  same  color  as  the  spots. 

From  behind  the  ears  a  stripe 

extends  along  the  back,  and 

the  spots  ought  to  be  ranged 

with   regularity  on  each  side 

about  the  haunch.    This  breed 

is   raised   in   about   the   same 

manner  as  the  Dutch  rabbit, 

but    the    French  animals   are 

bred   more  for  food   than  for 

ornament. 

The  Norman  rabbit  is  incontestably  the  best 

of    all    species    for    butchering.     It    attains    a 

weight  of  from  nine  to  ten  pounds  and  may  be 

killed   when  five  months  old.    It   is  raised   in 


26o 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


A  Blue  Beveren  Rabbit  (Male) 


vast  numbers  in  the  villages  of 
France,  and  it  is  this  breed  that 
in  the  Paris  markets.  It  is 
very  prolific  and  is  able  to 
bear  privations.  It  is  raised 
almost  exclusively  as  an  arti- 
cle of  food. 

The  black-aud-tan  rabbits 
are  the'  result  of  the  cross- 
ing of  various  species  mingled 
with  wild  blood,  which  can  be 
perceived  at  first  sight.  It  is 
by  far  the  shyest  and  least 
tamable  of  its  tribe  ;  if  any 
one  goes  near  its  hutch  it 
will  burrow  into  the  darkest 
corner.  Although  its  appear- 
ance is  certainly  sullen,  and 
even  savage,  its  body  is  ab- 
solutely beautiful.     Its  fur,  of 


the  north  of 
is  chiefly  sold 


a  brilliant  black  and  ver\-  thick,  is  fine  fcir 
cloaks  and  pelisses  ;  it  is  white  on  the  belly, 
under  the  jaw,  about  the  ears,  and  on  the 
tips  of  its  paws.  The  same  species  in  steel- 
blue  is  also  extremely  handsome  and  goes 
by  the  name  of  bhie-and-taii.  Both  breeds 
originated  in  England,  whence  they  were 
imported  into  France,  and  later  into  other 
countries.  To  have  the  handsomest  young 
rabbits  it  is  well  to  cross  the  blue  and  the 
black,  and  vice  versa.  A  litter,  usually  of 
from  four  to  six,  will  contain  both  colors. 
The  Havana  rabbit,  so  named  from  its  brown, 
or  chocolate,  color,  is  of  very  i-ecent  date.    The 


A  Polish   Rabbit 


A  Black-ano-Tan  Rabbit 

first  time  it  was  exhibited  it  bore  the 
name  of  the  English  flame-eyed  rab- 
bit; next  it  was  called  the  Beveren,  re- 
ceiving finally  from  the  Netherlands 
Association  the  name  Havana. 
Though  of  recent  date,  it  is  already 
well  known.  The  finest  are  found  in 
Holland,  although  France  has  also  a 
species  which  has  received  the  same 
name.  Its  fur  secures  to  it  a  great 
future,  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  it 
will  soon  spread  throughout  Europe. 
It  is  easy  to  raise,  and  the  young  are 
all  like  their  parents.  Its  admirers 
increase  after  every  show  at  which 
it  makes  its  appearance. 


RABBITS 


261 


III.  Preservation  of  the  Skins 
At  the  present  time  rabbit  skins  bring  a 
high  price,  and  it  is  well  to  take  good  care  of 
them.  The  animals  should  be  carefully  packed 
in  straw,  for  all  injury,  rent,  or  cut,  however 
small,  diminishes  the  value  of  the  skin. 

There  are  several  ways  of  drying  the  skins, 
though  it  is  always  rather  difficult  to  keep  them 
supple  and  intact.  The  following  method  is  the 
one  we  recommend.  Flay  the  animal  as  soon 
as  possible,  nail  the  skin  on  a  board,  stretching 
it  well,  and  brush  the  flesh  side  with  very  hot 
water  and  a  stiff  brush  until  not  a  particle  of  the 
flesh  remains  and  the  skin  is  perfectly  clean. 
Let  it  dry,  and  after  a  few  hours  rub  it  with 
a  weak  solution  of  alum.  Repeat  this  for  three 
days  and  the  skin  is  ready.  It  would,  however, 
be  better  to  send  it  to  an  experienced  tanner. 

IV.    Diseases  and  Ailments 

When  rabbits  are  well  fed,  well  lodged,  and 
well  cared  for, — in  short,  when  they  are  intelli- 
gently raised,  —  they  are  the  healthiest  animals 
in  existence.  If,  on  the  contrary,  they  are  ill- 
lodged  and  carelessly  raised,  there  is  perhaps 
no  race  more  liable  to  disease.     Whoever  gives 


Still  there  does  exist  a  certain  rate  of  mor- 
tality among  young  rabbits,  although  no  one 
can  say  with  certainty  what  is  the  cause  of  it. 
This  is  evidently  a  question  of  great  interest 
to  breeders.    Without  being  able  to  gi\'e  rules 


Box  FOR  Transporting  Rabbits 


his  rabbits  proper  care  will  have,  at  the  end 
of  a  few  months,  enough  experience  to  enable 
him  to  make  diseases  among  them  extremely 
exceptional. 


A  Dutch  RAr.iirr  {  Ili.-M.krked) 

or  precepts  for  bringing  young  rabbits  safely 
to  a  certain  age,  we  shall  indicate  a  few  of  the 
probable  causes  of  their  mortality.  One  of  the 
principal  ones  is  convulsions,  that  is  to  say,  in- 
sufficient vitality.  This  is  hereditary  ;  a  sickly 
mother  may  have  a  progeny  without  sufificient 
\itality  to  bear  the  little  ailments  of  early  life. 
It  may  also  be  that  the  mother  has  to  suckle 
too  many  young  ;  we  could  give  instances  of  a 
'tingle  mother  suckling  twelve  or  fourteen.  It 
is  easy  to  see  that  nothing  good  could 
come  of  this.  The  nurse  will  be 
exhausted  and  the  nurslings  feeble. 
When  the  survivors  of  such  a  litter 
reach  the  mating  age  their  off- 
spring cannot  possibly  be  robust. 
It  is  therefore  unadvisable  to  raise 
too  many  in  a  litter,  or  too  many 
litters.  Five  litters  annually 
should  content  the  breeder. 

Besides,  the  food  given  to 
the  young  rabbits  is  not  always 
judiciously  selected,  and  this  is  one  of  the  prin- 
cipal causes  of  disease  ;  too  much  green  food  is 
apt  to  be  given.  The  diseases  that  result  are 
dropsy  and  diarrhea,  which  frecjuently  end  in 


262 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


death.  The  first  is  caused  by  too  much  hquid 
in  the  intestines  ;  the  stomach  dilates  to  such 
an  extent  that  the  animal  can  hardly  stand  on 
his  feet ;  the  appetite  is  lost  and  the  rabbit 
dies  of  starvation.  Prevention  is  proverbially 
better  than  cure,  and  the  precautions  against 
this  malad\'  are  good  hutches,  little  green  food, 
opportunity  for  exercise,  and  a  sufficient  quan- 
tity of  dry  food  given  with  judgment,  the  more 
varied  the  better. 

Diarrhea  is  caused  in  the  same  way,  and  the 
treatment  should  be  about  the  same.  Hay  is  an 
excellent  remedy,  so  are  oats,  whole  or  bruised. 


VI.    Colds 

Colds  are  often  very  troublesome  tf)  rabbits 
as  well  as  to  all  other  living  beings  ;  and  if  the 
animals  are  not  properly  cared  for  and  kept  out 
of  drafts  (to  which  rabbits  are  very  sensitive, 
and  which  usually  cause  the  trouble),  pneumonia 
may  result. 

The  animal  attacked  should  be  instantly 
taken  to  a  warm  stable,  given  a  soft  bed,  and 
be  made  to  drink  a  little  hot  milk.  Warm 
food,  such  as  potato  parings  boiled  with  bran, 
will  contribute  to  a  cure  if  continued  for  a 
week  or  so.     If,  on  the  contrary,  much  mucus 


A  Female  Leporidf.  with  )ier  Young 


V.     DlSE.\SES    OF    THE    E.\R 

This  is  shown  by  the  formation  of  a  warty 
excrescence  in  the  ear  ;  the  wart  hardens  and 
extends  more  and  more  until  sometimes  the 
wh(.)le  ear  becomes  rigid.  To  cure  this  at  the 
very  beginning  and  to  prex'ent  its  progress  a 
drop  of  sweet  oil  should  be  poured  in.  Even 
if  the  wart  is  scarcely  perceptible,  it  is  well  not 
to  postpone  this  remedy.  It  is  essential  to 
clean  the  hutch  with  a  disinfectant  and  to  be 
sure  that  no  pus  from  the  ear  remains  in  it. 
If  the  disease  is  so  far  advanced  that  the 
swelling  is  perfectly  hard,  it  must  be  taken 
out  with  pinchers  ;  and  if  the  operation  is  not 
at  first  successful,  it  must  be  repeated  for 
several  days 


issues  from  the  nose,  the  greatest  care  must  be 
taken  or  the  mucus  will  harden  and  stop  respira- 
tion. Bathing  the  nose  with  hot  water  twice  a 
day  will  relieve  the  animal  and  hasten  a  cure. 

VII.     DlSE..\SE    OF    THE    PaWS 

Rabbits,  and  especially  the  giant  rabbits, 
suffer  much  fnjm  disease  of  the  paws,  and  may 
even  die  of  it  if  neglected.  There  are  several 
causes  of  this  malady  :  the  animal  may  have 
wounded  itself,  or  it  may  be  poisoned  by  the 
filth  of  the  hutch  or  by  the  manure  which  fre- 
quently clings  to  its  feet.  To  prevent  this  evil 
the  hutches  must  be  kept  clean,  and  the  rabbit 
should  be  given  daily  a  handful  of  fresh  hay  or 
straw  for  a  soft  bed. 


XI 


THE   BIRDS   OF  THE  AVIARY 

After  the  large  quadrupeds  and  the  denizens  each  ;  and  these  are  nothing  but  canaries,  while 
of  the  poultry  yard  come  the  birds.  They  do  the  merchants  are  importing  other  beautiful 
not  guard  our  houses,  nor  carry  our  property,  aviary  birds  by  thousands  from  foreign  parts. 
nor  furnish  our  principal  food  ; 
consequently  they  yield  the 
palm  of  usefulness  to  the 
other  domestic  animals.  But 
what  do  they  give  us  in  ex- 
change ?  Sunshine  in  the 
house,  joyous  warbling  in  our 
chamber,  and  an  example  of 
tender  solicitude  and  care  for 
their  offspring  surely  furnish 
compensation  enough.  They 
do  more ;  they  repay  with 
usury  the  affection  of  the 
owners  who  breed  them.  A 
judicious  education  is  more 
successful  with  them  than 
with  other  animals  and  is 
very  lucrative.  By  beginning 
with    a   couple    of    fine   birds 

any  one,  no  matter  how  little 

experience  he  may  have,  can 

safely  devote  himself  to  this 

branch  of   industry,  and  will 

soon    obtain    from    it    very 

pretty  profits.     Naturally  this 

requires    faculty,   and,   above 

all,  patience. 

Germany,  in  the  Hartz 

Mountains,  and  England, —  at 

Norwich,  for  example,  —  have 

shown  us  how  much  can  be 

done.    The  raising  of  canaries 

in  Germany   has    become   a 

flourishing  industry,  and  cer- 
tain  districts   in   England  do 

a  great   business    in    English 

canaries  of  a  special  color.     Many  persons  will  Besides  the  profits  they  bring  in,  there  are 

be  surprised   to  hear  that   the  latter   are   fre-      other  advantages  of  having  birds  in  a  house. 

quently   sold   for  from   thirty  to  forty  dollars      The   songs  and   joyous   flutter  of   these   little 

263 


Wild  Canaries  and  their  Nest 


>64 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


guests  put  sunshine  and  good  humor  into  a 
family;  a  taste  for  birds  gives  useful  occupa- 
tion, their  management  a  healthy  habit,  and 
though  we  must  keep  them  caged,  they  are  the 
liveliest  and  often  the  most  welcome  members 


The  Norwich  Canary 

of  the  household.     The   most   popular  among 
them  is,  of  course,  the  canarw 

I.    The  Canary 

Though  we  keep  canaries  especially  for  their 
song,  they  are  also  raised  for  their  color ;  in 
fact,  they  may  be  called  the  jewels  of  the 
aviary.  The  ancestor  of  our  tamed  canary 
(Scriniis  caiiariiis),  which  belongs  to  the  finch 
family,  is  not  handsome,  neither  are  his  de- 
scendants unless  the  wit  and  art  of  man  invent 
improvements.    The  wild  canary  has  a  greenish- 


}ello\v  body  with  gray  tail  and  wings.  He  is 
still  to  be  seen  in  great  numbers  in  the  Canary 
Islands,  in  Madeira,  and  at  St.  Helena,  whence 
they  are  sent  to  England  to  propagate.  When 
the  Canary  Islands  were  conquered  in  1478, 
great  numbers  were  carried  over  into  Spain, 
and  from  there  they  spread  through  Europe. 
They  became  the  favorite  pets  of  women, 
and  in  many  of  the  ancient  pictures  (Gian 
Bellini's,  for  example)  we  see  them  perch- 
ing in  some  corner,  or  perhaps  on  a  lady's 
finger. 

Tyrol  and  the  country  about  Innsbruck 
were  especially  active  in  the  propagation 
of  these  little  songsters,  sending  them  into 
Germany  and  Austria.  The  Netherlands, 
long  under  the  rule  of  Spain,  had  its  share 
of  this  trade  ;  in  fact,  towards  the  end  of 
the  sixteenth  century  it  raised  a  special 
breed  of  its  own.  Before  inquiring  how 
these  little  creatures  content  themselves 
with  the  house  and  food  offered  to  them  by 
man,  let  us  see  how  they  manage  for  them- 
selves in  their  wild  state. 

Like  so  many  other  birds,  they  build  their 
nests  in  hidden  places,  but  as  these  nests 
are  never  very  high  from  the  ground,  it  is 
easy  to  discover  them.  They  choose  young, 
slender  trees.  The  shape  of  the  nest  is 
round,  very  wide  at  the  base  and  very  nar- 
row at  the  top.  Some  naturalists  say  that 
canaries  make  these  nests  of  vegetable 
down  and  any  soft  substances  found  here 
and  there  rather  than  of  twigs  and  spears 
of  grass. 

The  hen  bird  lays  an  egg  every  day  until 
she  has  five.  These  eggs  of  the  wild  canary  are 
a  pale  sea-green  with  small  maroon  or  black 
spots,  which  nearly  always  collect  in  a  circle  at 
one  end.  The  egg  of  the  tame  canary  does  not 
differ  from  that  of  the  wild  bird  except  that  it 
is  more  nearly  round.  After  thirteen  days  of 
incubation  and  thirteen  days  more  in  the  nest 
the  young  birds  are  able  to  fly,  but  their  parents 
feed  them  for  some  time  longer  on  seeds  of 
grasses  and  the  soft  flesh  of  figs.  The  wild 
canary  delights  in  baths,  which  should  therefore 
be  amply  supplied  to  his  tame  descendant. 


THE  BIRDS   OF  THE  AVIARY 


265 


II.  Cages 

Leaving  aside  for  the  time 
being  the  aviary  properly  so 
called,  the  advice  that  here 
follows  on  the  lodging  of  birds 
in  our  houses  applies  as  much 
to  all  small  caged  birds  as  to 
canaries. 

The  cage,  considered  as  a 
furnished  home,  is  often  un- 
suitable, and  therefore  injuri- 
ous, to  its  inhabitant.  For  a 
single  bird  it  ought  to  be  at 
least  eighteen  inches  long  and 
eighteen  inches  high, while  the 
width  should  be  fifteen  inches. 
Round  cages,  though  very 
pretty  and  easily  suspended, 
are  not  so  desirable  as  square 
or  oblong  ones.  Birds  in 
round  cages  are  subject  to 
vertigo  and  are  not  sheltered 


A  Norwich  Can.\rv  with  Hood 


Cage  for  Sm.\li.  Birds 

Very  practical  in  details 


from  currents  of  air ;  neither 
do  they  ever  have  a  tranquil 
space  before  their  eyes,  as 
they  might  were  the  square 
cage  placed  against  a  wall. 
Metal  cages  are  very  good  in 
the  matter  of  cleanliness,  but 
they  have  the  great  fault  of 
getting  rusty  from  the  splash- 
ing of  the  bird  in  its  bath. 
Wooden  cages,  varnished  out- 
side and  carefully  lacquered 
with  white  enamel  inside,  are 
the  best.  They  should  be 
thoroughly  cleaned  at  least 
once  a  week  or  lice  will  con- 
ereeate  in  the  corners  and 
holes  and  thus  become  a  real 
pest.  This  misfortune  can  be 
prevented  by  an  occasional 
coat  of  fresh  lacquer. 

It  is  wrong  to  put  polished 
bamboo  perches  or  any  round 
wooden  perches  in  these 
cages  ;  they  should  always  be 
semi-oval,  as  a  mere  glance  at 


266 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


A  Norwich  Canary  avith  Gray  Hikjh 

a  canary  on  a  perch  will  show.  These  perches 
should  be  easily  removable  and  should  be  taken 
out  often  and  cleaned  or  seeds,  husks,  and  all 
sorts  of  dirt  will  collect  upon  them  and  will 
therefore  become  wedged  be- 
tween the  toes  of  the  bird, 
which  finally  prefers  the  bot- 
tom of  the  cage  to  the  perch 
which  his  owner  does  not 
clean,  and  the  latter  then  sup- 
poses that  the  bird  is  ill ! 

As  to  the  accessories,  — 
seedboxes,  water  troughs, 
bath  tubs,  nests,  etc.,  — the)' 
come  in  great  variety.  The 
essential  thing  is  that  thev  be 
convenient  to  use  with  safety 
and  easily  kept  clean.  Cages 
have  a  great  influence  on  a 
fine  song  bird.  The  canaries 
of  the   Hartz   Mountains  will 


trill  their  highest  notes  in  their  little  travel- 
ing cages,  while  the\"  nften  lose  their  charm 
in  a  more  lu.xurious  home.  Some  breeders 
and  dealers  make  use  of  specialh-  con- 
structed cages  to  induce  their  birds  to  sing; 
occasionally  the  birds  are  kept  entirely  in 
the  shade  to  correct  a  shrill  or  piercing  note. 

III.    The  Song  of  Birds 

This  song  is  the  subject  of  serious  study 
to  breeders,  for  the  song  of  a  young  canary 
(if  good  origin  can  be  improved  and  per- 
fected. It  is  interesting  to  see  the  results 
obtained  by  the  Hartz  breeders. 

There  is  much  diversity  of  taste  among 
the  purchasers  rif  birds.  Some  desire  a  loud 
song,  with  long  trills  and  high  notes;  others 
]5refer  soft  warbling,  clear  crj-stalline  rou- 
lades, and  flutelike  tones  There  are  certain 
faults,  however,  that  all  dislike  ;  as,  for  in- 
stance, when  the  bird  suddenly  interrupts 
a  beautiful  roulade  by  uttering  a  short, 
brusque  chap-chap  or  tsi-tsi.  To  correct 
such  faults  and  to  improve  the  song  of  the 
canar\-,  adapting  it  to  the  taste  of  the  day, 
is  not  an  easy  task  for  the  breeder;  but 
the  breeding  and  training  of  singing  canaries 
will  always  remain  a  source  of  great  revenue. 
Thousands  are  exported  annually  from  Mount 
Saint-Andre  alone  (in  the  Hartz  Mountains), 
bringing  in  a  revenue  of  from  seventy-five  to 


■ 

^^^1 

^^^SHN 

Hr^        ''-s^l^^i^HH^^Hi^B 

■ 

■^9^3^'^^^'^^^^^nBG^^Bi^MHi 

^1 

HhhHH 

^"cll'^■G  TnKrsHF.s 


THE   BIRDS   OF   THE  AVIARY 


26: 


-"fl'j^'  ?»»!v.'5»*/ ■ 


eighty  thousand  dollars.  The 
best  singers  (that  is  to  say, 
the  best  males)  are  carefully 
kept  from  hearing  the  notes 
of  the  other  birds;  for  it  often 
happens  that  very  good  song- 
sters will  borrow  the  false  or 
less  beautiful  notes  of  their 
congeners. 

The  great  breeders  always 
keep  a  certain  number  of  their 
finest  singers  as  models,  and 
from  these  they  make  cross- 
ings, which  is  an  art  that  re- 
quires a  special  talent.  The 
results  obtained  may  be  re- 
garded as  among  the  greatest 
victories  in  the  domain  of  the 
education  of  animals.  At  the 
end   of    eight   or   ten    months 

the  song  has  acquired  its  full  power,  and  the      forgets,  and  then  the  trainer  bird  is  placed 
canary  knows  several  airs,  which  he  sometimes      him  to  refresh  his  memory.    It  is  on  record 

some  birds,  few  perhaps,  have  been 
cessfuUv  taught  to  utter  words. 


The  Red  Beno.^l  Finch 


near 
that 
suc- 


An  English  C-asarv  with  Hood 


IV.    Food  .wd  Care  to  be  given 

TO    C.ANARIES 

Rape  seed  and  hemp  seed,  universally 
known,  may  serve  as  the  principal  food  of 
canaries.  They  may,  without  injur)-,  be 
made  the  sole  food,  if  of  good  qualit)- ;  but 
unfortunately  they  are  apt  to  be  adulter- 
ated with  all  sorts  of  impurities,  among 
others  charlock,  or  wild  mustard,  which  is 
very  injurious  to  birds.  A  little  fla.xseed 
is  excellent  from  time  to  time  for  all  birds 
of  the  finch  tribe.  It  fattens  them,  and 
they  eat  it  with  pleasure  ;  it  ought  to  be 
given  crushed.  Millet,  salad  seed,  and  oats 
may  also  be  given.  The  birds  are  not  very 
fond  of  these  seeds,  but  millet  will  fatten 
them. 

Besides  this  seed  food,  young  canaries 
should  have  hens'  eggs,  boiled  hard,  finely 
puh-erized,  and  mi.xed  with  bread  crumbs  ; 
this  gives  excellent  results.  There  are  as 
many  recipes  for  this  egg  food  as  there 
are  breeders.    It  is  absurd  to  disapprove  of 


268 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


one  mixture  and  praise  another,  because  the 
results  depend  on  the  birds  and  on  circum- 
stances.   It  is  the  same  with  green  food,  which 


The  Tricolok  Canary 

some  breeders  think  injurious  and  others  up- 
hold. It  is  advisable,  however,  to  give  the  birds, 
now  and  then,  a  salad  leaf,  provided  it  is  not 
too  wet  and  has  not  been  in  the  salad  bowl. 

A  single  canary  in  a  house  does  not  require 
a  great  deal  of  care.  Cleanliness  is  the  great 
thing ;  intelligent  observation  of  the  bird  will 
teach  the  rest.  The  cleanliness 
of  the  cage  requires  a  layer  of 
sand,  not  too  fine,  because  it  might 
fly  up  under  the  bird's  wings  and 
irritate  him.  The  bath  tub  should 
be  kept  full  of  clean  water,  and  if 
the  bird  suffers  from  \ermin,  a 
bit  of  quassia  wood  put  into  the 
water  will  help  to  free  him  from 
them.  As  to  the  cleanliness  of 
the  bird  itself  (especially  if  about 
to  be  sent  to  an  e.xhibition),  it  is 
necessary  that  the  owner  should 
wash  it,  which  is  by  no  means 
an  easy  thing  to  do. 

Here  is  some  advice  on  the  best  manner  of 
procedure.  First,  warm  the  room  and  see  that 
it   is  quiet,   with    no   danger  of    incursions   of 


children  or  animals.  Take  three  clean,  shallow 
basins  and  fill  one  with  warm  water.  Suspend 
an  empty  cage,  which  has  been  thoroughly 
cleansed,  near  a  stove  or  fire.  Lay 
a  piece  of  soft  flannel  on  the  floor 
of  it.  The  two  other  basins  should 
be  placed  beside  the  first  and  filled 
with  boiling  water.  After  putting 
a  trifle  of  soda  in  the  first  basin, 
take  the  bird  quietly  but  quickly  in 
the  left  hand.  Let  him  be  on  the 
palm  of  the  hand,  covering  him  with 
the  thumb  if  he  attempts  to  beat 
his  wings  (which  seldom  happens). 
Then  dip  him  up  to  the  head  in  the 
first  basin  ;  with  the  right  hand  take 
a  soaped  sponge,  plunge  it  into  the 
second  basin  of  hot  water,  and  pro- 
ceed to  wash  the  bird  quickly,  tak- 
ing care  to  spread  the  wings  and 
to  touch  every  feather  (except  those 
of  the  head)  in  the  direction  in 
which  they  naturally  lie.  When  all 
dirt  has  been  removed  wash  the  head  very 
cautiously  but  without  soap.  Too  much  care 
cannot  be  taken  to  guard  the  eyes,  which  the 
bird  will  close  instinctively.  After  this  the 
third  basin  of  hot  water  must  be  used  to  rinse 
him  off.  The  essential  thing  is  to  hold  him 
firmly,  for  if  he  escapes  before  he  is  perfectly 


The  Gray  Wagtail 


dry,  the  consequences  may  be  fatal.  When  all 
the  washing  is  well  over,  the  bird  must  be  prop- 
erly dried.    It  is  then  very  difficult  to  hold  him 


THE   BIRDS   OF  THE  AVIARY 


269 


TiiK  Toilet  of  a  Canary 
FOR  THF  ExFosrnox 


First  he  should  be  carefully  rubbed  down  the      is  not  advisable  for  the  owner  of  a  single  canary 

back,  breast,  and  head  with  a  soft  towel.    Then      to  employ  the  Cayenne  remedy,  because  in  our 

the  wings  must  be  dried  with  even  more  caution, 

being  carefully  rubbed  always  in  their  natural 

direction,  after  which  the  bird  must 

be  laid  safe  and  sound,  but  slil 

rather  damp,  on  the  flannc 

which  has  been  spread  on 

the   floor  of    the   cage 

Though  he  will  seem 

to  be  half  dead,  he  is 

in  reality  full  of  life, 

and    if    he    is    left 

quietly    to    himself    in 

some  place  carefully  pro 

tected  from  drafts,  he  will 

recover   from   his   fright   in  a 

few  hours  and  be  as  gay  as  cvei. 

A   canary   well    cared   for    is   a 
pleasure  to  the  eye  ;  yet  even  those 
most  carefully  treated  have  to  pass 
through  a  period,  which    they   cannot   evade, 
when  they  are  far  from  being  charming  to  be- 
hold.   We  mean,  of  course,  the  molting  period. 
This  phenomenon,  which  takes  place  every  year, 
cannot  be  called  a  disease,  though  many  birds 
die   of    it.     As    temperature    has   a 
great   influence   on   the   duration  of 
the  molt,  the  birds   should   be  kept 
warm  in  some  quiet,  tranquil  place  ; 
the  washings  must  cease  ;  and  as  for 
food,  more  egg  should  be  given  and 
more  seed  and  bread,  but  no  hemp. 
It  is  well   to  put  a  bit  of  apple  or 
cooked  carrot   between  the  bars  of 
the  cage,  but  no  green  food  should 
be  given. 

For  young  birds  this  is  a  very  try- 
ing period  ;  in  fact,  the  influence  of 
the  molt  is  so  great  that  some  prom- 
ising young  songsters  never  fully 
recover  their  powers.  It  is  the  cus- 
tom among  breeders  in  England  and 
the  United  States  to  give  the  molting 
birds  a  mixture  of  hard-boiled  egg, 
biscuit,  and  Cayenne  pepper.  At  first  they 
refuse  this  stinging  delicacy,  but  after  a  few 
days  they  become  extravagantly  fond  of  it.    It 


day  it  is  difficult  to  obtain  it  unadulterated,  and 
he  risks  poisoning  his  pet  with  some  deleterious 
substance  masquerading  as  Cayenne 
pepper. 

V.    Incubation 

l-'or  the  incubation  of 
,  the  eggs  of  canaries 
and  of  other  small 
house  birds,  a  hatch- 
ing cage  should  be 
provided,  —  one  closed 
on  three  sides,  —  as  large 
as  possible,  and  so  arranged 
that  a  nest  can  be  easily  sus- 
pendcil  in  it.  This  nest  should  not  be 
made  with  too  much  art.  It  should 
be  about  two  and  a  half  or  three 
inches  deep  and  should  consist 
chiefly  of  a  solid  pouch  suspended  from  the  roof. 
If  it  suits  the  female  she  will  know,  when  the 
pro])er  time  comes,  how  to  line  it  with  threads, 
moss,  lint,  bits  of  grass,  etc.,  which  must  be 
slipped   between   the   bars   of    the  cage.     She 


Dry  ^VITH  Care  ! 


usually  lays  her  eggs  early  in  the  morning,  — 
one  a  day  for  five  or  perhaps  six  days,  though 
it  often  happens  that  she  lays  only  three  or  four. 


270 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


The  Arkkst  hv  a  Fugitive 

The  eggs  of  the  canary  are  soft  gray  hi 
color,  with  dark  red  or  black  specks  at  one  end. 
Thirteen  days  after  the  last  egg  is  laid  the 
young  canaries  may  be  expected.  When  the 
mother  is  well  settled  on  her  eggs,  the  male 
bird  becomes  very  busv  in  feeding  her.  It  is 
necessary  to  see  that  all  dirt,  impurities,  and 


damp  sand  are  promptly  re- 
moved from  the  cage,  or  the 
feet  of  the  mother,  who  some- 
times quits  the  nest  for  a  very 
short  time,  may  carry  it  among 
the  fledglings  and  cause  their 
death.  The  behavior  of  the 
female  canary  and  of  other 
female  birds  differs  \'ery 
much.  Some  cannot  be 
drixen  from  the  nest  ;  others 
will  always  go  off  and  swing 
upon  their  [lerches  if  an\-  one 
goes  near  the  cage. 

It  is  imprudent  to  examine 
the  eggs  continually,  and 
jjatience  cannot  be  too 
earnestly  recommended  to  young  breeders.  As 
soon  as  the  little  ones  are  hatched  the  same 
caution  need  not  be  observed.  Both  the  qualit_\- 
and  quantity  of  their  food  must  be  attended  to, 
for  it  is  not  always  as  good  and  as  regularl}-  pro- 
\ided  as  one  would  naturally  expect  from  a  well- 
bred  mother.    The  food  of  both  parents  ought 


,€*, 


The  Woodpecker 


THE   BIRDS   OF  THE  AVLARY 


271 


to  be  very  abundant  during  this  period  and  color,  which  she  endeavors  to  render  as  elegant 
should  consist  chiefly  of  eggs.  If  it  is  evident  and  peculiar  as  possible.  As  the  canary  readily 
that  the  little  ones  are  not  receiving  enough,  allows  itself  to  be  mated  with  other  species, 
they  must  be  fed  with  tiny  crumbs  of  egg  given  a  great  variety  of  bastard  breeds  of  many  colors 
on  a  bit  of  blunt  wood.    It  is  very  easy  to  see      has  been  obtained. 

whether    they    have    a    good      1 —    —     - 

mother   or   not.     If   properly      j  \. 

fed,  their  growth  will  be  visi-      •  ■" 

ble  from  day  to  day.  Their 
breasts  should  be  full,  their 
bodies  round,  and  they  should 
look  very  lively.  If  their  de- 
velopment stops,  they  must 
be  fed  with  hens'  eggs,  hard 
boiled,  which  is  not  difficult  to 
do,  for  young  canaries,  like 
all  other  young  birds,  open 
their  mouths  very  wide. 

At  the  end  of  fifteen  days 
the  nest  ought  to  be  changed 
for  a  larger  one,  because  the 
young  birds  are  then  begin- 
ning to  beat  and  flutter  their 
wings  and  need  more  room. 
At  the  end  of  si.x  weeks  they  should  be  sepa 
rated  from  their  parents 


OuK  Friend  the  Sr.-VRnow 


The  canaries   of   the   different   countries  — 

French,   German,   and    English — can   be    dis- 

Of  course  much  more  work  is  to  be  done      tinguished    by    their    shape    and    song.    The 


in  the  great  establishments  where  the  breedin 

and  raising  of  canaries  is  made  a  business.    So 

many  things  must  be  thought  of  and  attended 

to  that  special  works  and  manuals 

on  the  subject  are  issued 

Our  a d  \-  i  c  e   is   in 

tended,  as  we  saic 

in  the  beginning 

for  those  who 

wish  to  tend 

and    rear    these 

little  songsters 

in    their    homes 


VI.   V.A,RiETiES  OF  Birds 
In  enumerating  the  principal    .^.„^.^,^,  ^,  ,  „.,^„  j^,  ,,.^  hkao 
species  of  the  canary  we  ought      ^^^^  g^uE  ,\nu  Black  Belly 
to  remark  that  while  Germany  _      _ 

and  the  other  continental  countries  of  Europe  found  in  Holland,  though  varieties  of  it  e.xist 
devote  themselves  to  raising  g<iod  singers,  the  under  the  names  of  Belgian  canary,  trumpet 
United  States  is  also  concerned  with  form  and      canary,  and  so  forth. 


French  breed  is  noted  for  its  slender  form ;  the 
German  species,  formed  chiefly  of  the  Hartz 
birds,  is  the  musical  breed  far  excclltiicc; 
the  English  races  are  nearly 
always  very  tall, of  typi- 
cal colors,  an  d 
adorned  with  a 
tuft  or  topknot. 
Before  Ger- 
many thought 
of  raising  the 
artz  canary  it 
was  generally  known 
in  Holland,  where  a  fine, 
strong,  healthy  race  was  bred 
and  sent  to  all  parts  of  the  world. 
At  present  the  Dutch  canary, 
properly  so  called,  is  no  longer 


272 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


The  Belgian  canaries  are  sometimes  called 
the  "nobles"  of  the  canary  famih'.  This  is  a 
question  of  taste,  but  if  it  depends  on  their 
external  appearance  thev  have  a  right  to  the 
distinction.  A  pure  Belgian  canary  is  large, 
with  a  narrow,  rather  flat  head,  a  ver\'  gentle 


Ax  AviARV  DE  Luxe 

expression  in  the  eyes,  and  the  throat  and 
nape  of  the  neck  apparently  very  flexible.  This 
expression  of  the  eyes  is  attributed  by  many 
connoisseurs  to  the  calm  temperament  to  be 
observed  in  the  breed,  showing  long  domes- 
ticity. It  is  not,  however,  by  the  eyes  only  that 
the  bird  can  be  judged,  but  by  the  neck  also. 


When  perfectly  tranquil  he  carries  his  head 
horizontally,  and  we  then  see  that  his  shoulders 
are  very  broad  and  strongly  developed.  They 
rise  towards  the  back,  which  is  co\-ered  with 
a  thick  down,  to  which  a  long  and  tapering 
tail  is  attached.  The  back  and  tail  are  almost 
vertical.  The  breast,  all  of 
which  is  visible,  is  neither 
broad  nor  round,  and  the  legs 
and  feet  are  straight  and  long. 
The  Belgian  canary,  sitting  so 
calmly  on  his  perch,  strikes 
the  attentive  observer  chiefly 
by  his  lithe  form  and  the  car- 
riage of  his  head. 

In  England  and  the  United 
States  we  find  in  the  Seoteh 
faiiey  eaiiary  (sometimes 
called  the  G/asgow  Don)  a 
worthy  counterpart  of  the 
Belgian  bird,  to  which  he  is 
related  ;  but  thanks  to  artifi- 
cial breeding,  he  now  forms  a 
distinct  species  with  a  much 
flatter  head.  He  always 
carries  his  head  raised  and 
rounds  his  body  without  any 
apparent  raising  of  the  shoul- 
ders. Experts  pay  great 
attention  to  the  posture  of 
these  birds  and  judge  them 
by  it  ;  and  associations,  clubs, 
and  breeders  have  a  score  of 
points  under  which  the  judg- 
ment must  be  formed.  Among 
breeders  there  are  certain 
celebrated  canaries  that  are 
known  b}-  their  owners'  sur- 
names. This  Scotch  species, 
which  is  becoming  more  and 
more  the  fashion,  is  raised  in 
eight  different  shades  of  color,  running  from 
yellow  to  green. 

Besides  this  breed  we  find  several  others,  such 
as  the  Yorkshire  canary,  an  English  one,  much 
like  the  Parisian  bird,  but  without  its  curly 
down  ;  the  London  breed,  a  small  bird  raised 
in   different  shades  (from  green  to  yellow,   to 


■A 

O 

H 

< 


274 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


A  Belgian  Canary 


orange,  and  even  to  brown)  ;  the  cinuanion-coloycd 
canary  ;  the  \ery  handsome  lizard,  the  body  of 
which  is  partly  striped  (this  species  is  extremely 
difficult  to  rear)  ;  and  the  Manchester,  a  giant 
canary,  which  is  sometimes  eight  inches  long ; 
also  a  considerable  number  of   mongrels. 

Some  of  these  canaries  are  hooded,  that  is  to 
say,  they  have  on  their  heads  a  sort  of  cap  of  long 


A    Fl.Al -Hi.  ADKU    C.W  AKV    111      K.NCil.ISH     BRKF.I) 


A  Yorkshire  Canary 

feathers.  The  English  breeder  has  gone  so  far  as 
to  raise  certain  orange-colored  birds  with  black  or 
yellow  caps,  which,  of  course,  fetch  a  high  price. 
As  for  the  German  canaries,  and  particularly 
those  of  the  Hartz  and  of  Saxony,  they  are  not, 
as  we  have  already  said,  distinguished  by  their 
form  or  color,  but  by  their  musical  talent.  Some, 
however,  are  extremely  handsome,  like  the  little 
swalloio  canaries,  the  wings  of  which  are  of  a 
different  color  from  the  head,  the  spotted,  the 
striped,    and    the    albinos.     The    latter,    like    all 


THE   BIRDS   OF   THE  AVIARY 


275 


animals  in  which  we  see  a  failure  of  color,  are 
generally  weak  and  poor  singers. 

We  must  now  take  leave  of  these  charming 
domestic  birds  and  study  others  less  musically 
gifted,  but  nevertheless  very  worthy  of  attention. 

VII.    Other  Colored  Song-Birds 

Without  tracing  the  line  between  the  graniv- 
orous  and  the  carnivorous  species,  we  must 
name  a  few  of  the  joyous  songsters  who  inhabit 


and  solid,  with  perches  and  poles ;  the  food 
should  be  flaxseed,  soaked  bread,  and  ants' 
eggs.  The  sitting  lasts  sixteen  days  ;  the  eggs 
are  greenish  blue  with  little  dark  brown  spots. 
The  I'.'ild  thrush  has  a  way  of  perching,  in  the 
early  morning,  on  the  top  branch  of  a  tree  to 
warble  his  matin  song  : 

That 's  the  wise  thrush,  who  sings  each  song  twice  over. 
Lest  you  should  think  he  never  could  recapture 
Its  tirst  fine,  careless  rapture. 


TnK  Avi.\RV  OF  THI-.   King  of  England 


our  cages  and  aviaries.  We  find  among  them 
many  beautiful  birds  of  pure  stock  and  many 
bastards,  known  in  different  lands  under  such 
different  names  that  it  would  take  whole  books 
to  record  them.  The  same  bird  may  have  ten 
or  a  dozen  names  ;  consequently  it  is  best  to  put 
the  Latin  name  after  the  familiar  name  of  each. 
First  we  will  take  the  thrush  family  ( Tnrdi) 
and  its  singing  master  {Tnrdiis  miisiciis).  We 
find  him  here  and  there  as  a  bird  of  passage, 
though  he  makes  his  home  throughout  Europe 
generally.  He  is  easy  to  raise  and  to  accustom 
to   confinement,   but    the  cage   must   be   large 


The  hen  bird  builds  her  nest  by  preference 
near  water. 

The  I'/ack  thrush  (  Tardus  mcrula),  a  Euro- 
pean bird,  commonly  called  blackbird  there, 
is  a  wary,  cunning  fellow,  but  not  so  wary  that 
he  does  not  readily  get  accustomed  to  captivity 
in  a  cage.  His  whistle  is  lively,  and  he  tries  to 
imitate  the  songs  of  other  birds.  The  female 
is  very  different  in  appearance  from  the  male, 
being  brown  in  color,  while  her  mate  is  black. 
It  is  not  difficult  to  teach  young  thrushes  to 
sing  various  tunes,  provided  they  are  sung  to 
them    morning   and  evening  in  a   quiet   room. 


276 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


Tm-.  TiiKL'sH 

Many  remarkable  anecdotes  are  told  of  the 
maternal  love  of  the  hen  bird  and  her  clever- 
ness in  systematically  driving  cats  and  dogs 
from  the  vicinity  of  her  young.  Confined  in  large 
aviaries,  they  make  life  a  burden  to  other  birds. 

Our  American  zvood  tlirusli  (  Tiirdiis  mnstc- 
liiiiis)    is   an   excellent    vocalist,   "  the 
tones    having    a    rare    quality   of 
rolling  vibrancc."   sweet  and 
placid    and    full    like    the 
notes  of  a  flute   sounded    ;#■ 
some   morning    in    the 
open  country  air.    Next 
to  the  robin  this  is  the 
most    widely    known 
of  the  thrush  family. 

If    the    American 
robin    (Mem /a   niigra- 
toria)  is   not  a  domestic    \^ 
bird,  we  have  but  few,  for 
he  is  a  part  of  our  very  lives 
His  matin  song  is  familiar  from 
the   moment  of  remembrance  ;    his 
acquaintance  leads   him   to  our   very 
doors  ;  he  seeks  the  apple  tree  nearest 
to  the  country  house,  where  he  and  his  mate 
may  build  their  nest,  that  they  may  live  close 
to    their  curious   friend  —  man.     His    song   is 
sweet  and  charged  with  a  \ariety  of  expression. 


Tine  Green  Finch 


We  find  a  far  more  tranquil  conception 
of  life  among  the  finches,  who  are  all  gay, 
alert,  and  good  whistlers.  Their  principal 
food  consists  of  seed,  berries,  worms,  etc.  ; 
in  destroying  the  latter  they  do  good  service 
to  farmers.  The  species  named  Fringillae 
spniiis  is  much  in  demand  for  aviaries  on 
account  of  its  graceful  attitudes.  The  color 
is  not  striking,  but  if  coupled  with  the 
canary,  birds  of  ver)-  pretty  plumage  may 
result.  The  eggs  of  this  bird  when  living 
in  a  wild  state  are  extremely  hard  to  find. 
The  linnet  {Fringilla  eannabina)  is  much 
sought,  especially  in  Germany  and  Belgium, 
for  the  aviary.  It  is  another  member  of  the 
finch  famil)-. 

The  cardinal  grosbeak  (Cardinalis  cardi- 
nalis).  commonly  known  as  redbird,  belongs 
to  the  finch  family  and  is  a  songster  as 
well  as  a  bird  of  beautiful  plumage  and  interest- 
ing habits.  Great  numbers  of  these  birds  have 
been  shipped  to  England,  where  they  have  been 
known  as  Virginia  nightingales. 

Mr.  James  Lane  Allen  gives,  with  rare  sym- 
l)athy  and  delicacy,  a  most  charming  descrip- 
tion of    this   bird   in  his   masterpiece, 
7'/u-  Kentucky  Cardinal.   He  says  : 

Lo  1  .some  morning  the  !ea\'e.s  are 

on   the    ground,  and   the    birds 

have   vanished.     The    species 

that  remain  or  that  come  to 

us  then  wear  the  hues  of  the 

l\    season  and  melt  into  the  tone 

of  Nature's  background, — 

blues,   grays,  browns,   with 

touches  of  white  on  tail  and 

breast  and  wing  for  coming 

flecks  of  snow. 

•Save  only  him,  —  proud,  soli- 
tary stranger  to  our  friendly 
land,  —  the  fiery  grosbeak. 
Nature  in  Kentucky  has  no  winter 
harmonies  for  him.  He  could  find 
these  only  among  the  tufts  of  the  October 
sumach,  or  in  the  gum  tree  when  it  stands  a 
pillar  of  red  twilight  fire  in  the  dark  Novem- 
ber woods,  or  in  the  far  depths  of  the  crimson  sunset 
skies,  where,  indeed,  he  seems  to  have  been  nested,  and 
whence  to  have  come  as  a  messenger  of  beauty,  bearing 
on  his  wings  the  light  of  his  diviner  home.  .  .  .  What 
wonder    if    he   is   so    shy,    so    rare,    so    secluded,    this 


TswiossiiSiSr 


a 


iMmmsi>is<:mm!i-::.:.^--.t:.:ic:mAm. 


<       = 

U      " 


PS 

a 
C 


27.S 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


The  Linnet 

flame-colored  prisoner  in  dark  green  chambers,  who  has 
only  to  be  seen  or  heard  and  Death  adjusts  an  arrow  ! 
.  .  He  will  sit  for  a  long  time  in  the  heart  of  a  cedar, 
as  if  absorbed  in  the  tragic  memories  of  his  race.  Then, 
softly,  wearily,  he  will  call  out  to  you  and  to  the  whole 
world :  Peaci'  .  .  Peace  .  .  .  Pence  .  .  .  Peace  .  .  . 
Peace  .  .  .  !  the  most  melodious  sigh  that  ever  issued 
from  the  clefts  of  a  dungeon. 


The  bnnon  tltrashcr  (Har- 
porhynchiis  nifiis),  called  alsn 
brown  thrush  and  brown 
mocking  bird,  is  one  of  those 
perennial  joyous  singers  that 
bring  delight  to  every  one. 
Who  of  us  does  not  remem- 
ber these  lines  .■' 

There  "s  a  merr}-  brown  thrush 
sitting  up  in  a  tree  ; 

He  is  singing  to  me  I  he  is  sing- 
ing to  me  1 

And  what  does  he  say  little  girl, 
little  boy  ? 

"  Oh,  the  world  's  running  over 
with  joy ! " 

This  gladsome  singer  is  at 
home  anywhere,  either  on  a 
branch  where  he  swings  like 
a  pendulum,  or  on  the  groimd 


where  he  is  constantly  twitching,  wag- 
ging, or  thrashing  his  tail  about  in  the 
must  ludicrous  fashion  as  he  feeds  on 
the  ground  —  dieting  upon  worms, 
insects,  and  fruits. 

The  11/ oc king  bird,  commonly 
known  in  this  country  as  a  cage  bird, 
is  the  MivtJts  polyglottus.  As  a  cage, 
bird  he  retains  his  nocturnal  habits, 
often  singing  and  fluttering  in  the 
night.  He  is  quite  a  tease  also,  for 
there  is  scarcely  a  sound,  whether 
made  by  bird  or  beast  about  him, 
that  he  cannot  imitate  so  clearly  as 
to  deceive  every  one  but  himself. 
There  is  no  songster  in  America  or 
in  all  the  world  that  is  so  rich  and 
tender  in  its  song.  The  bird  is  an 
ornament  to  all  aviaries,  where  his 
whistle  and  his  melodious  song  may 
be  heard  all  da}-.  But  some  of  his  brightness 
is  too  apt  to  disappear  in  cajnivity,  which  is 
usually  the  case  with  captive  birds  of  all  kinds. 
The  birds  belonging  to  the  Troglodytidac  — 
the  brown  thrashers,  catbirds,  mocking  birds 
—  as  a  general  thing  are  greedy,  and  scrupulous 


The  Duti  h  Bui-I-FIn-ch 


THE   BIRDS   OF  THE  AVIARY 


279 


care  must  be  given  to  the  quantity  of  food  that 
is  provided  for  them  when  placed  in  captivity. 
The  linnet  called  "Little  Pope"  {Fringilla 
linaria)  is  distinguishable  from  the  one  called 
"  Little  Brother"  (F.  viontium)  by  a  black  patch 
on  the  chin  and  a  red  skull,  both  birds  being  of 
a  fine  reddish  brown.  Though  they  do  not  sing, 
they  have  their  place  in  the  aviary,  where  their 
colors  give  infinite  pleasure.  In  Germany  it  was 
formerly  the  fashion,  as  it  still  is  elsewhere,  to 
have  competitions  of  singing  birds,  for  which 
breeders  were  in  the  habit  of  putting  out  the 


of  violet-brown  specks.  The  bird  can  be  taught 
all  sorts  of  tunes,  provided  respect  is  paid  to  his 
caprices  ;  that  is  to  say,  the  same  gestures,  the 
same  flatteries,  the  same  little  coaxing  words, 
must  be  used,  and  even  the  same  coat  should 
be  worn  when  the  lessons  are  given  !  Well- 
taught  bullfinches  are  worth  their  weight  in 
gold.  A  great  trade  in  them  is  carried  on  by 
the  poorer  classes  of  Thuringia. 

From  the  zoological  point  of  view  thejc/Zow- 
liannncr  or  biniting  (Embcriza  citrinclld)  is  a 
link  between  the  finch  and  the  lark.     In  its  wild 


# 


^r  -s, ..  'rf 


B' 


'\^i 


^>.:# 


n 


The  String  W.act.ail 


eyes  of  the  shyest  species  with  the  false  and 
cruel  idea  that  blindness  improved  their  song. 
The  bullfinch  is  a  queer  fellow  in  an  aviary, 
and  full  of  self-importance  in  a  cage.  Still  it  is 
easy  to  keep  him  in  captivity  and  to  raise  his 
young.  He  is  very  nervous,  it  is  true,  and  he 
flutters  about  continually ;  but  if  we  once 
know  his  peculiar  tastes  (all  finches  differ 
materially  in  their  choice  of  food),  these  birds 
with  their  beautiful  colors  are  easy  to  raise  and 
well  worth  their  price.  They  rival  many  of 
the  tropical  birds  in  color.  The  bullfinch  of 
the  north  of  Europe  (Pyirhitla  vulgaris)  is 
much  larger  than  the  bullfinch  of  this  country. 
The  eggs  are  greenish  blue,  with  a  little  circle 


state  it  lives  among  reeds,  and  is  more  or  less 
squat  in  figure.  Thanks  to  its  beautiful  yellow 
color  and  its  \ery  soft,  melodious  whistle,  it  is 
very  acceptable  in  the  aviary,  though  in  captiv- 
it\-  it  is  apt  to  lose  one  or  both  of  its  gifts.  The 
yellow^-hammcr  {Colaptcs  auratits)  is  not  often 
caged,  and  belongs  to  the  woodpecker  family. 

The  species  called  the  %vagtails  (Motacilla) 
are  the  agriculturists  among  smaller  birds, 
especially  across  the  water.  They  follow  the 
plowman  along  the  furrows,  and  will  even 
jump  between  the  legs  of  the  horses.  And 
yet,  though  very  eager,  they  are  shy  and  alert. 
They  are  constantly  wagging  their  heads  and 
tails ;    hence   their  name.    Though   the   \ellow 


28o 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


The  Lark 

wagtail  is  an  ornament  to  the  aviary,  the  same 
cannot  be  said  of  the  white  species,  which  man 
is    not  allowed  to  catch  in  most  countries. 

The  bnnvii  lark  [Antlius  pcnnsylvauicus) 
is  found  throughout  North  America,  but  is 
accidental  in  Europe.  People  say  that  the  lark 
is  well  fitted  for  cage  life  simply  because  they 
want  to  enjoy  its  ravishing  song.  This  is  not 
so.  Of  all  the  birds  of  heaven  it  should  be 
free  ;  only  then  can  the  full  beauty  of  its 
song  be  known. 

Hail  to  thee,  blithe  spirit! 

Bird  thou  never  wert, 
That  from  heaven,  or  near  it, 

Pourest  thy  full  heart 
In  profu.se  strains  of  unpremeditated  art. 

Teach  me  half  the  gladness 
That  thy  soul  must  know, 
Such  harmonious  madness 
From  my  lips  would  flow. 
The  world  would  listen  then  as  1  am  listening  now. 

The  spring  without  larks  is  no  spring  at 
all,  and  though  they  make  their  nests  close 
to  the  ground  they  rise  very  high  in  the 
air  to  announce  triumphantly  the  day's  re- 
newal. But  sweetest  of  all  is  it  to  hear 
them  in  the  open  country  when  "  the  pale 
purple  evening  melts  around  their  flight." 
Those  who  choose  may  keep  them  many 
years  in  cages  if  fed  on  seeds,  verdure  of 
various  kinds,  and  roots,  with  plenty  of  sand 
or  turf  on  the  floor  of  the  cage. 

The  songsters  and  whistlers  that  we 
have  now  mentioned  will  not  begin  to  fill 


an  aviary.  But  how  can  we 
describe  in  this  limited  space 
the  numerous  e.xotic  birds  that 
ought  to  be  in  it  ?  We  cannot 
even  enumerate  them,  but 
must  pass  to  their  larger 
comrades,  the  parrots  and 
cockatoos. 

VIII.    Parrots  and 
Cockatoos 

The  first  recorded  informa- 
tion that  we  have  about  par- 
rots is  in  a  description  of  a 
festival  given  at  Alexandria  in  Egypt  two  hun- 
dred and  eighty-four  years  before  Christ.  In 
the  reign  of  Alexander  the  Great  they  were 
brought  from  Egypt  to  Greece.  In  Rome  they 
were  articles  of  luxury,  exchanged  sometimes 
for  a  slave.  The  cooked  heads  of  parrots  made 
a  feast  for  Heliogabalus  and  his  lions,  who  re- 
ceived  their   share,   as    they  likewise    did    of 


The  GOLDFtxcH 


Frum  A  paslel  by  Jan  van  Oort 


THE   BIRDS   OF   THE  AVIARY 


281 


peacocks.    In  the  present   day  parrot  soup  is 
the  choice  dish  of  Cuba.  , 

A  parrot  was  seen  for  the  first  time  in  Eng- 
land in  1504;  and  in  1704  there  appeared  in 
Amsterdam  a  parrot  of  a  species  still  very  rare, 
the  black  parrot  of  Neiv  Guinea.  Nowadays 
the  parrot  is  universally  known  and  esteemed 
as  a  house  bird,  because  his  sociable  humor 
and  his  gift  of  speech,  together  with  the  inter- 
est he  takes  in  the  members  of  the  household 
and  their  doings,  make  him  really  very  amusing 


The  \\a\  V  I'.aroquet 

and  interesting.  In  aviaries  the  various  exist- 
ing species,  of  which  many  have  a  truly  Oriental 
magnificence  of  color,  are  a  joy  to  the  eye,  and 
form  a  brilliant  collection  that 
can  hardly  be  surpassed.  The 
innumerable  species  now 
acclimated  and  bred  in  many 
countries  are  difficult  to 
describe  with  precision.  We 
know  the  principal  species  to 
be  the  gray  parrot.,  or  jako 
{PsittacHS  crithacns),  with  its 
astonishing  facility  in  speech, 
the  gray  Amazon  with  yellow 
head  and  blue  forehead,  very 
popular  in  seaports,  the  cock- 
atoo with  the  great  curved 
beak,  the  pink  cockatoo  of  un- 
certain temper,  but  cheap,  the 
white-tufted  species,  and  that 
with  a  yellow  tuft. 


M^^^^H 

^M^^' 

u 

1 

Gr.AV    I'.AKnOl'lCT,    OR    Pdl-L    PaKKOT 

Among  the  smaller  parrots  with  long  tails 
is  the  A'eu' Holland{Psittacns  iXovae Hollandiae), 
a  very  beautiful  aviary  bird  which  is  particularly 
easy  to  feed.  All  the  smaller  parrots  are  espe- 
cially suited  to  aviaries,  which  they  fill  with 
gayety  and  color.  The  undulated  parrot  {Psitta- 
cus  undulatus),  so  called,  can  be  bought  very 
cheap  ;  since  Gould  imported  them  into  Europe 


^m 

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■ 

S!^^^^ 

■  -1 

^j/   Yj 

01^-^ . 

5Bl 

w     1 

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f  V          i 

r  pi^!^""^ 

Li 

1     *  WjB 

The  Green   I'aroouet 


282 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


The  Stari.txg 

in  1840  they  have  spread  far  and  near.  They 
are  generally  green,  but  other  species  are 
raised  which  are  very  handsome,  among  them 
the  whites  and  the  blues.  They  are  made  to 
hatch  (as  do  most  of  the  parrot  race)  in  closet 
nests,  because  in  the  natural  state  they  raise 
their  young  in  hollows. 

If  persons  have  but  one  parrot,  it  is  best  not 
to  use  the  traditional  round  cage,  but  a  square 
one  with  a  flat  roof.  It  is  not  at  all 
necessary  that  the  perches  should 
be  of  metal.  It  is  true  that  the 
birds  take  delight  in  gnawing 
wooden  ones,  but  what  of 
that  ?  When  the  perches  fly 
into  splinters  new  ones  can 
be  inserted,  and,  in  any 
case,  parrots  must  be  sup- 
plied with  bits  of  wood.  They 
must  also  have  plenty  of  sand 
and  rust  is  as  bad  for  them  as 
for  other  birds.  Then  why  use  brass 
cages  ?  The  larger  species  should  be 
fed  with  rice,  Indian  corn,  and  hemp  ; 
the  smaller  ones  with  canary  seed   and   oats. 

Parrots  surely  mark  the  limit  of  the  various 
races  that  may  still  be  reckoned  among  domes- 
tic animals.    Other  species  of  decorative  birds 


A  Tr.-mxed  Crow 


are  found  in  aviaries,  where, 
bred  and  brought  up  in  captiv- 
ity, they  know  no  other  home 
than  that  with  man.  Among 
them  are  pheasants,  peacocks, 
and  certain  gallinaceous  fowls 
that  are  never  fully  tamed.  But 
can  these  be  termed  domestic 
animals  .'  For  the  pheasant  of 
our  woods,  the  wild  bird  we 
hunt,  the  answer  must  certainly 
be  in  the  negative.  Among  the 
decorative  pheasants,  kept  for 
their  beauty,  the  best  known 
are  the  ffohicii  plicasant  (Tliau- 
jiialca  pitta),  very  difficult  to 
raise,  and  the  diauiond,  coppci\ 
and  silver  plicasauts,  and  all  of 
these  are  brilliant  in  color,  quick 
in  their  movements,  and  very 
self-conscious  in   manner. 

Peacocks  were  once  the  great  adornment  of 
parks  and  country  houses,  and  the  cool  tints 
of  their  displayed  plumage  had  an  indescrib- 
able charm  and  beauty.  The  common  peacock 
(Pavo  crislatiis)  is  either  of  a  metallic  green- 
ish blue  or  wholly  white.  The  well-known 
ostentatious  parading  of  the  cock  before  the  hen 
and  his  coquettish  hops  and  jumps  are  curious 
to  behold.  Other  birds  are  disturbed 
by  them  and  will  not  have  any- 
\  thing  to  do  with  these  proud, 
self-conscious  denizens  of  the 
poultry  yard  and  shrub- 
beries, but  will  wander  away 
i  from  them  outside  of  the 
park,  if  permitted,  thinking 
rj/  their  own  thoughts  on  the 
J^l   subject. 

*:  Neither  the  croic  nor  the  niag- 
a<4l^  pie  nor  the  starling  is  admitted 
into  the  aviaiy  for  lack  of  brilliant 
color ;  \ct  they  are  much  nearer  to 
being  domestic  animals  than  the  pheas- 
ant or  the  peacock.  The  crow,  especially,  allows 
himself  to  be  taught  and  trained,  while  great 
amusement  can  be  got  out  of  the  starling  when 
his  true  value  is  appreciated.     He  can  whistle, 


THE    BIRDS   OF    THE   AVIARY 


'-83 


croak,  and  talk  for  the  pleasure  of  young  and 
old,  and  he  is  one  of  the  chief  delights  of  many 
a  cottage  home. 

The  magpie,  given  to  scoffing,  and  addicted 
to  strange,  improper  expressions  which  he  picks 
up  here  and  there,  is  not  a  very  comfortable 
creature  near  a  house  ;  he  will  even  peck  his 
master  with  his  sharp  beak,  and,  like  the  crow, 
steals  every  sparkling  thing  he  sees,  from  a 
pair  of  scissors  to  a  diamond  ring.  Much  cau- 
tion must  be  shown  in  the  feeding  of  these 
birds.  They  need  raw  meat,  but  if  too  much  is 
given  their  naturally  bad  temper  grows  worse. 

From  remote  times  the  crow  has  pla\-ed  a 
great  part  among  peoples  and  popular  beliefs.  In 


Germany,  when  he  flies  in  a  circle  it  is  thought  to 
be  a  sign  of  war.  Crows  live  in  couples,  and  it  sel- 
dom happens  that  they  flock  together,  although 
it  is  said  that  they  assemble  in  Iceland  in  the 
autumn  to  decide  where  each  couple  is  to  settle. 
The  magpies  were  formerly  thought  to  be 
birds  of  ill  omen.  They  brought  disaster  to 
the  houses  they  flew  over,  and  if  nine  gathered 
together  one  of  them  was  sure  to  be  a  witch. 
Peacock's  feathers,  but  not  the  bird  itself,  are 
still  held  to  bring  trouble  to  the  household. 
These  birds  are  very  long-lived,  usually  living 
from  twenty  to  twenty-four  years  ;  but  crows 
and  rooks,  especially  rooks,  are  believed  to 
e.xist   for  two  centuries. 


The  Crow  and  thh  Rook 


XII 
PIGEONS 


I.    In  Past   and   Present  Times 

Though  the  pi^foii  comes  at  the  end  of 
this  work,  and  consequently  after  many  other 
of  our  domestic  animals,  both  quadrupeds  and 
bipeds,  it  is  not  because  it  is  less  worthy  of 
esteem.  Unlike  the  gallinaceous  tribes,  the 
pigeon,  by  its  docility  and  its  readiness  to 
approach  man,  is  a  better  domestic  animal  in 
the  literal  sense  of  the  word  than  most  of  our 
other  feathered  friends.  Yet  the  pigeon  has  a 
quality  that  enables  him,  whenever 
he  chooses,  to  break  off  instantly, 
and  with  far  more  ease  than 
our  other  domestic  birds,  the 
ties  of  friendship  that  unite 
him  to  house  and  family. 
He  can  fly  with  a  rapidity 
and  to  a  distance  unat- 
tainable by  man  —  so 
long  as  the  science  of  bal- 
looning is  in  its  infancy. 

It  is  difficult  to  say  when 
the  pigeon  was  first  known  as 
a  domestic  animal.  We  know  for 
certain  that  he  was  such  in  prehis- 
toric times,  so  that  his  taming  must  date 
back  to  the  youth  of  our  planet.  All 
pigeon  races  descend  from  a  wild  pigeon 
still  existing,  the  rock  pigeon,  called  also  the 
wood  pigeon,  or  ringdove.  This  species  is  spread 
throughout  Europe,  Asia,  and  Africa  ;  but  it  is 
found  especially,  and  in  vast  numbers,  among 
the  islands  of  the  tropical  seas.  In  view  of  the 
incredible  variety  of  species,  it  is  almost  incom- 
prehensible how  they  could  all  have  come  from 
one  stock  ;  yet  the  fact  was  proved  by  Darwin. 
The  earliest  mention  of  tamed  pigeons  is, 
according  to  Professor  Lepsius,  the  famous 
Egyptologist,  during  the  period  of  the  Third 
Dynasty  ;  consequently,  three  thousand  years 
before  Christ. 


The  Dr.\gox 
Pigeon 


The  wild  pigeon  is  noted  for  its  very  bad 
nests.  Legend  says  that,  finding  it  impossible 
to  make  a  good  one,  and  seeing  the  skill  with 
which  the  magpie  made  hers,  he  asked  her  to 
be  so  good  as  to  give  him  lessons.  The  mag- 
pie consented  to  this  on  condition  that  the 
pigeon  should  give  her  a  cow.  The  pigeon 
agreed  ;  but  after  watching  the  magpie  a  few 
moments  he  said  he  had  learned  enough,  and 
refused  to  keep  his  promise.  A  judge  was  sum- 
moned, and  having  decided  that  the 
pigeon  had  no  right  to  receive 
further  instruction,  the  latter 
has,  ever  since,  made  shock- 
ingly bad  nests. 
Tame  pigeons,  so  frequent 
in  Greece  since  the  end 
of  the  fifth  century  before 
Christ,  were  long  before 
that  held  sacred  in  the 
countries  of  Asia.  They 
were  kept  in  great  flocks 
around  the  temples  of  Aphro- 
dite, and  in  S}'ria  no  one  dared 
to  lay  hands  on  them.  They  first 
came   to  Europe   through   Italy,  where 


great    numbers    of    white   and    colored 


doN'es  were  kept  around  the  temple  of 
Eryx  in  Sicily.  From  Italy  they  spread  through 
Europe,  following  the  power  and  civilization  of 
the  Romans.  Christianity  adopted  them  as  its 
symbol,  while  popular  belief  regarded  the  white 
dove  as  the  bearer  of  souls  to  heaven,  and  feared 
his  colored  brother,  the  rock  pigeon,  as  a  bird 
of  ill  omen.  In  Venice,  that  semi-Greek  city, 
clouds  of  pigeons  still  inhabit  the  cupola  of  the 
church  of  San  Marco  and  the  roof  of  the  Doges' 
palace,  and  woe  to  him  who  tries  to  catch  or 
to  harm  them  ! 

Nevertheless,   in  spite  of  these  honors  and 
of   the   affection   he  inspires,   the   pigeon   has 


284 


o 
o 

< 


J 
o 

'A 

w 


z 

o 
u 

o 


o 


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►J 
■J 
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U 


286 


OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


much  esteemed  as  the  fowl  or  the  other 
denizens  of  the  poultry  yard, 

II.    The  Domestic  Pigeon 

The  domestic  pigeon,  as  it  moves  about 
in  perfect  liberty,  presents  a  slender  but 
not  thin  body,  with  no  shyness  or  timidity 
in  its  movements.  There  is,  in  fact,  some- 
thing massive  and  assured  in  its  approach, 
small  as  it  is.  Its  brilliant  colors  —  blue, 
gray,  white,  or  brown  — charm  the  e\'e  ;  its 
decided  step,  its  solid  legs  (though  agile  and 
touching  the  earth  lightly),  and  its  sudden 
flights,  with  heavy  beat  of  wing,  distinguish 
it  from  all  other  birds  when  in  the  vicinity 
of  man.  Thanks  to  its  piercing  sight,  it 
can  distinguish  at  great  distances  a  seed 
or  a  pea,  which  it  picks  up  daintil)',  never 
scratching  the  soil  like  hens. 

If  we  watch  the  pigeon  in  his  flight  we 
shall  learn  many  things  about  the  manner 
in  which  he  turns  in  circles  and  cur\-es, 
resting  on  his  outspread  wings  ;  and  it  is 
not  surprising  that  those  who  call  them- 
selves the  "  pioneers  of  aeronautics  "  should 
have  gone  to  the  school  of  pigeons  to  learn 
how  to  fly  quickly  and  gracefully.  The 
keenness  of  the  pigeon's  eye  and  his  rapid 
motions  are  really  the  only  means  of  defense 
on  which  he  can  rely.  His  beak  is  not  sharp 
enough  to  hght  with,  and  his  claws  are  of 
no  use  at  all.  The  rapidity  of  his  flight 
alone  enables  him  to  escape  the  enemy 
whom  his  sharp  eyes  ha\'e  quickly  discov- 
ered. It  is  remarkable  that  the  pigeon's 
eggs  are  not  of  a  color  that  protects  them, 
being  always  a  pure  white.  It  is  true,  how- 
ever, that  the  ringdove  usually  deposits 
her  eggs  in  such  inaccessible  places  that 
wild  creatures  and  birds  of  prey  find  it 
difficult  to  reach  them. 

III.    Abode,  Food,  and  Treatment 

Like  all  other  domestic  animals  bred  for 
pleasure  or  utility,  pigeons  require  cleanli- 
never  attained  in  Europe  or  America  the  com-  ness,  and  the  condition  of  their  dovecote  must 
mercial  and  agricultural  importance  of  the  gal-  be  watched  incessantly.  Whether  large  or  small, 
linaceous  birds.    Yet  as  food  he  is  at  least  as      simple  or  artistic,  it  must,  in  the  first  place,  not 


Common   Domestic  Piceons 


PIGEONS 


287 


be  too  low;  then  it  must  have  several  openings 
to  the  south  and  east ;  it  should  not  be  made 
wholly  of  wood,  nor  should  it  be  difficult  of 
access  to  the  owner.  It  is  of  little  consequence 
whether  it  be  raised  in  a  corner  of  the  garden, 
or  on  the  roof,  or  in  some  angle  of  the  house. 
A  cement  floor,  partitions  also 
of  cement,  and  an  absolutely 
tight  roof  cannot  be  too 
urgently  recommended  for  a 
dovecote  of  any  dimensions. 
The  floor  should  be  covered 
with  a  layer  of  sand  (not  ton 
fine),  and  if  there  are  man\ 
pigeons  in  the  same  compart- 
ment, partitions  must  be  so 
arranged  as  to  prevent  couples 
from  fighting  before  the  open- 
ings of  these  compartments. 
The  older  the  pigeons  grow  the 
less  chance  there  is  of  such 
combats. 

As  for  nests,  they  can  be 
made  of  all  sorts  of  artificial 
things,  and  are  quite  cheap. 
In  a  good  pigeon  house  it 
should  be  easy  to  remove 
nests,  perches,  doors,  etc.,  in 
order  to  make  a  thorough 
cleaning  every  fortnight  and 
so  prevent  vermin,  which  do 
so  much  harm.  The  parti- 
tions should  be  whitewashed 
now  and  then,  and  frequent 
use  should  be  made  of  some 
insecticide  powder. 

As  for  food,  every  breeder 
has  his  own  opinion.  Beans, 
peas,  corn,  a  mi.xed  diet  of 
potatoes,  oats,  barley,  and,  for 
a  dainty,  hemp  seed,  each  and  all  give  variety 
to  pigeon  food  ;  but  the  pigeon  himself  will  peck 
at  many  other  things  when  he  flies  away,  and 
will  be  the  better  for  it.  In  any  case  it  is  neces- 
sary to  be  regular  in  the  distribution  of  food, 
and  to  renew  daily  the  ample  supply  of  drinking 
water.  Nor  should  baths  be  forgotten,  without 
which  no  healthy  pigeon  will  ever  feel  at  home. 


The  male  bird  builds  the  nest  himself,  and 
when  the  female  has  laid  two  eggs  she  begins 
to  brood.  The  male  takes  her  place  now  and 
then,  but  not  for  long.  The  first  young  pigeon 
issues  from  the  egg  from  the  sixteenth  to  the 
nineteenth  day,  completely  blind  and  helpless. 


.\  I'liKM  K  111-    riu;  (;.\rii7:n 

Its  first  food  is  a  sort  of  broth  secreted  in  the 
crop  of  its  parents  ;  and  it  requires  great  care, 
as  much  from  the  male  and  female  birds  as 
from   the  owners. 

IV.    Some  Species 

Before  naming  some  of  the  more  beautiful 
species  presented   to  us  by  the  rich   family  of 


PIGEONS 


289 


and  white  have  their  turn.  But 
what  variety  in  each  of  them  ! 
What  bUies,  for  instance,  from 
light  to  dark,  gray  blue,  purple 
blue,  silvery  blue,  etc.  !  And 
yellow  contributes  also  to  stripe, 
spot,  and  ring,  with  a  \arietv  of 
shades    tliat    amaze    those    who 


.\  Loft  or   t  am  \    I'k.i  ii\:- 

pigeons,  it  is  well  to  refer  to  the  commoner 
kinds,  —  the  ringdove,  wood  pigeon  or  cushat, 
the  turtledove,  and  the  laughing  dove.  The  first 
is  found  wherever  fir  trees  grow.  It  is  bluish 
gray,  with  two  white  rings  around  its  neck. 
The  second,  the  turtledove,  is  rather  smaller, 
brownish  gray  in  color,  and  the  rings,  four  in 
number,  are  black  with  white  edges.  The  third, 
or  laughing  dove,  is  a  species  of  turtledove  liv- 
ing in  the  sandy  deserts  of  eastern  Africa  and 
taking  the  color  of  the  sand.  As  for  the  color  of 
pigeons  in  general,  blue,  black,  red,  gray,  yellow. 


TlUi    CXKRHIR    PiGEO.V 

undertake  to  distinguish  breeds  and  species. 
White  also  plays  an  important  part.  Some- 
times the  head  is  all  white,  or  merely  the  breast, 
wings,  neck,  or  tail,  as  in  the  capuchin  pigeon. 
Let  us  begin  a  very  limited  list  with  pigeons 
of  a  single  color  and  mention,  first,  the  beautiful 


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SCOTI  11    Pl(,Kf)NS 


290 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


zvJiite  dragon,  for  instance,  and  the  vioiidaiii  angles,  make  a  somersault,  sometimes  two,  and 
pigeon,  of  a  light  blue  powdered  with  a  white  soar  again,  describing  curves  and  circles  in  the 
tint  of  marvelous  beaut)-,  making  the  tip  of  each  air  ;  then  suddenly  they  drop  to  earth  in  almost 
feather  look  as  though  it  were  touched 
with  hoarfrost.  The  eyes  of  this  breed 
are  dark  brown,  the  shade  of  which  varies, 
as  in  all  pigeons,  according  to  the  darker 
or  lighter  tint  of  the  body  feathers. 
The  cream  color  of  the  spectacled 
pigeon  is  also  very  beautiful.     This 


bird  usually  has  a  dark  brown  design 
on  its  breast  resembling  a  pair  of 
spectacles.  A  like  design  appears 
on  the  /(?/•/■  pigeon,  called  also  the 
Cob  nig  pigeon.  The  Polish  pigeon  is 
usually  black,  though  some  are  blue  o 
speckled.  The  sta rling-necked 
pigeons  are  much  in  demand  in 
Germany,  where  they  have  smo(jth 
shining  heads,  while  English 
breeders  prefer  them  with  tufts 
or  hoods.  They  are  dark  blue 
bordering  on  black,  with  a  metal- 
lic luster  and  a  white  half-moon 
upon  the  breast.  The  capuchin 
pigeon  has  a  white  hood  and  tail, 
and  as  he  is  also  supplied  with 
a  species  of  dark  tuft  on  his  forehead  (some- 
times two)  he  presents  a  very  singular  appear- 
ance. The  jiiagtiie  pigeons  also  have  white 
hoods  and  wings  ;  so  have  the  swallow  pigeons, 
which  bear  not  the  slightest  resem- 
blance to  swallows,  and  come  in  all 
possible  colors.  The  masked  pigeon 
is  white  with  a  colored  face  and  tai 
likewise  the  Nuremberg  variety. 

All  the  species  we  have  now  named 
are  subdivided  into  others  too  numer- 
ous  to   mention  here.     Agreeable   va- 
rieties   are    the   Russian   drum  pigeon. 
which  does  not  coo,  but  gives  vent  to 
humor  in  sounds  resembling  the  roll 
of  a  drum,  and   the   Dutch   tumbler 
pigeon  of    the    Netherlands.      It   is 
curious  to  see  how  the  latter  perform 
their  aerial  gymnastics.    Thev  fly  to 
great   heights   with   the   rapidity  of 
an  arrow ;    then  thev  turn  at  right 


a  straight  line,  stop  short,  hover  awhile  on  their 
outstretched  wings,  and  begin  the  'play  again. 
Nothing   is    more   diverting   than    to   watch  a 
covey    of    these    tumblers    in    the    azure    air; 
nc\er  do  they  weary  of  the  game,  which  they 
often   keep  up  for  hours.     As  for  their 
color,  it  varies  so  much  that  our  limited 
space  will  not  allow  us  to  say  any- 
thing  ahdut    it.     The    distinction 
between     tumblers     with     long 
beaks   and    those  with  short 
beaks  explains  itself ;   but 
these    divisions    are 
divided  again,  the  first 
into    wliite-winged, 
white-bearded, 
mag]iie,    striped, 
H  a  n  (1  V  e  r  i  a  n, 
antl    \'iennese 
tumblers  ;  the 
second   into 
German,   Eng- 
lish,   almond- 
colored,    Little 
Nun,  and  Jacobin  tumblers,  so  that  a  volume 
would  be  needed  for  this  race  alone. 

The  turbit,  or  frilled,  pigeons,  of  various 
colors,  are  known  by  many  names  the  world 
over.    They  are  not  large,  but  are  \'ery  active 

heads  are  rather  angu- 
the  breast  are  frizzed 
their  name.    They 
red    at    exhibitions, 
species,  also  in  de- 
:hibitions,  is  the  pea- 
ui-tailed,  pigeon  ;   its 
colors    are    white, 
or    black,    and    the 
lef   breeds    are    the 
English,  Scotch,  Ger- 
man, and  French, 
all  of  which  carry 
their   tails   spread 
out  like  fans  or  the 
The  M.\gpie  Pigeon  tails  of  peacocks. 


The  Tumbler  Pigeon,  Old  Dutch  Breed 


nee 


A    DOVFXOTE    AT    A    PROPER    ELEVATION 


292 


OUR   DOMESTIC   ANIMALS 


V.    Pouter  Pigeons 

All  pigeons  keep  their  food  for  a  long  time 
in  a  sack  within  their  breast.  Their  organs 
of  digestion  are  so   made  as  to  complete  the 


The  Dwarf  Poctkk  Pigeon  of  Amsterdam 

work  their  feeble  beaks  have  left  unfinished. 
They  all  have,  more  or  less,  a  frontal  protuber- 
ance formed  by  two  lateral  appendices  to  the 
esophagus.  In  addition  they  ha\'e  an  upper 
stomach  fastened  to  the  esophagus,  which 
receives  the  food,  softens,  and  liquefies  it ; 
thence  it  passes  into  the  masticating  stomach. 
These  internal  arrangements  protrude  the 
breast,  and  those  species  which  swell  their 
chests  until  their  heads  are  thrown  back  and 
nothing  is  seen  in  front  but  these  unnatural 
protuberances  are  called,  in  English,  pouter 
pigeons,  from  the  sulky,  pouting  air  this  atti- 
tude conveys.  They  may  be  regarded  as  the 
product  of  artificial  breeding  much  practiced 
in  central  Europe,  although  American  breed- 
ers have  given  to  these  birds  so  monstrous  a 
shape  that  the  Eiiglisli  pouter  is  an  alien 
among  the  foreign  birds  of  his  own  race. 
Nevertheless  he  is  sometimes  sold  for  his 
weight  in  gold.    The  English  bird  is  long  and 


lank  in  the  legs,  and  is  distinguished  more  by 
the  shape  of  his  feet,  his  attitude,  and  the  oval 
of  his  breast  than  by  the  color  of  his  plumage. 
The  original  Dutch  pouter  is  not  long-legged, 
and  his  protuberant  breast  is  spherical  like 
that  of  certain  other  German  species.  The 
head  of  the  English  bird  is  relatively  small, 
and  it  is  essential  with  breeders  that  he 
shall  stand  erect  and  hold  his  wings  pressed 
tightly  against  his  body.  Our  breeders 
insist  that  a  pair  of  pouters  must  produce 
young  with  legs  and  feet  exactly  similar  to 
the  fi.xed  t^-pe.  Singular  to  sa)-,  the  male 
and  female  obey  his  behest  so  implicitly 
that  their  young  as  they  develop  have  legs, 
feet,  and  claws  of  the  e.xact  prescribed 
length,  while  all  their  other  points  are 
brought  to  a  preordained  perfection  that 
is   nothing  short  of  miraculous. 

The  French  pouter  and  the  Brunner  breed 
have  become  of  late  c|uite  serious  rivals  to 
the  other  species  of  pouter  pigeons. 

Of  what   use  are   these   strange -looking 

pouters  .?  Solely,  it  appears,  to  furnish  proof 

of  the  power  of  man  to  interfere  with  the 

nature  of  animals  by  steady  and  reflective 

application  of  breeding  experiments.    We 

have  here  a  monstrous  transformation,  which 

renders  the  creature  unfit  for  any  natural  use 

to  which  it  might  be  put.    Nevertheless,  such 


-:Jr7r-^i»jgj 


The  Al-mond  Pigeon 


changes  can  be  so  confirmed  as  to  give,  in  the 
end,  hereditary  qualities.  Pigeons  used  for 
scientific    experiments,    especially    the    pouter 


PIGEONS 


293 


pigeons,  have  been  of  use  to  men  like  Darwin, 
to  prove  their  theories  on  selection,  descent, 
and   the  power  of  experiments. 


The  em]5loynient  of  pigeons  as  messengers 
cumcs  from  their  faculty  of  finding  their  homes 
and   returning  to   them   from   very   great   dis- 
tances.   Though  many  other  domestic  animals 
VI.   Sever.\l  Species.    Mes.sexger  Pigeons     h^.-g  ^^e  same  gift,  yet  their  unerring  choice 
After  the  pouters  wc  must  mention  the  ca-      of    the    right    direction,   the    rapidity   of   their 
runcular  pigeons,  the  best  known  of  which  are      flight  above  countries  completeh'  unknown  to 


Carrier  Pigeons 

Photographed  iifter  a  journey  of  3000  miles 


the  carriers,  the  Bagadas,  and  the  dragons.    All 

these  birds  have  warty  excrescences  on  their 

beaks  and   thick   red   rims  around   their  eyes. 

The  carrier  pigeons  have  a  noble 


bearing 


their   legs    are   long 


and   withovit   feathers,  and 
the  feathers  of  the  body 
are  smooth  and  in 
significant.     This 
species    has    every 
appearance   of   a 


wild    bird.     Its 

flight   is   superb, 

and  surpasses  that 

of   other  breeds  ; 

but   the   thick  circles 

around  its  eyes  prevent 

it  from  seeing  well,  and  it  is 

therefore   kept    more   for   show 

than   for    use,   and    is    very   costly. 

There  are  many  varieties  of  these 

carrier  pigeons,  namely  those  of  Antwerp  and 

Liege,    some    turbits,    certain    tumblers,    etc. 


I' 111,     t'.AKI 


them,  and  the  greater  safety  of  their  missives 
(carried  through  air  and  not  on  land)  give  them 
a  very  special  value  of  their  own.  People  call 
this  faculty  instinct,  but  in  our  day 
that  magic  word  does  not  lead 
far  en  o  ugh.  Many 
researches  produce 
theories  about  this 
13  rob  1cm  which 
many  experiments 
destroy.  Some 
say  these  travel- 
ers are  guided  by 
the  position  of  the 
sun,  but  pigeons  let 
oose  at  night  find 
their  homes  as  rapidly 
and  unerringly  as  by  day. 
( )thers  believe  that  electric  cur- 
rents have  to  do  with  it,  but  Hachet- 
Souplet  proves  that  this  is  impossible. 
If,  however,  we  consider  the  keen  sight  of  the 
pigeon,  we  may  accept,  provisionally  perhaps, 


z     "' 

°    S 
pj     o 


5  ^ 

<  o 

u  8 

^  d 

O  "O 


<; 


o 
bo 


, 

"i^j^^B 

k- 

f 

P 

ij^j^^ 

E^ 

fiiV 

in^H 

^ 

— ^i^_ 

c 


V 


PIGEONS 


295 


the  explanation  of  a  learned  French  naturaHst, 
given  in  the  following  paragraph  : 

"The  pigeon  sees  amazingly  far.  Circling 
round  his  dovecote  to  a  great  and  still  greater 
height,  he  obtains  an  ever-increasing  view  of 
his  surroundings  and  of  the  horizon.  It  is  true 
that    this   view  becomes    less    distinct    in   the 


German  Pigeons 

upper  strata  of  the  air,  but  it  also  becomes  far 
wider.  When,  therefore,  he  is  let  loose  at  a 
distance  from  his  home  he  rises  in  circles  to  a 
great  height,  trying  to  perceive  some  portion 
of  the  familiar  view  he  has  seen  about  his 
home,  which  then  enables  him  to  choose  the 
direction  for  his  flight.  There  are,  of  course, 
certain  limits  and  certain  obstacles,  and  the 
pigeon  which  can  discover  his  route  at  a 
distance  of,  say,  a  hundred  miles  or  more  is  a 
past  master  in  his  profession."  He  must  have 
made  many  journeys  before  he  attained  such 
proficiency,  a  fact  that  should  be  taken  account 
of  in  judging  of  the  theory  above  given. 

A  good  messenger  pigeon,  to  whatever  breed 
he  may  belong,  should  have  a  solid  breast,  long 
wings,  strong  pinions,  a  slender  tail  of  good 
length,  and  be  courageous  but  not  wild.  Natur- 
ally pigeons  with  large,  keen  eyes  and  no  defect 
or  anomaly  in  their  legs  and  feet  should  be 
chosen. 

VII.    Pigeon  Post.    Tr.mmnt.  for  it 

From  the  days  when  the  champions  of  the 
Greek  games  made  known  to  distant  friends 
by  means   of  pigeons   that    they  were   victors 


down  to  the  present  day  when  Russian  eyes 
have  been  fixed  in  anguish  on  Port  Arthur, 
hoping  for  news  by  pigeon  post,  these  birds 
have  been  in  many  ways  the  bearers  of  good 
and  evil  tidings  in  times  both  of  peace  and 
war.  A  caliph  of  Bagdad  established  the  first 
regularpigeon  servicein  the  twelfth  century, and 
it  is  said  that  the  Rothschilds  have  made  enor- 
mous gains,  thanks  to  their  organized  pigeon 
express.  The  press  has  been,  and  still  is,  often 
served  by  these  messenger  birds.  The  Gu- 
zctte  dc  Cologne  especially  makes  frequent  use 
of  them.  To-day,  however,  the  pigeon  is  not 
so  rapid  as  the  telegraph  and  the  telephone, 
and  so  long  as  the  wire  has  not  attained  its 
perfection  point,  the  pigeon  may  still  keep  up 
in  times  of  war  an  otherwise  hopeless  commu- 
nication between  two  localities.  It  is  well  known 
that  this  was  done  on  a  vast  scale  during  the 
siege  of  Paris  in  1870,  when  use  was  made  of 
microscopic  photography  to  send  by  one  bird 
fifty  thousand  copies  of  news  in  miniature. 

At  the  present  time  much  use  is  still  made 
of  a  maritime  pigeon-post  system,  by  which 
messages  are  sent,  without  signals,  to  specified 
distances   from  the  coast.    A  military  pigeon 


The  Enolish  Falconet  Pioeon 

post  is  established  in  several  countries,  chief 
among  them  Germany.  At  Cologne  there  is 
a  large  station  with  five  or  six  hundred  pigeons, 
which  is  in  direct  communication  with  Berlin 
and  various  fortified  places.  It  is  calculated 
that  one  hundred  miles  is  the  normal  maxi- 
mum which  a  bird  can  fly  and  perform  its  mis- 
sions well.  A  special  detachment  of  cavalry 
is  charged  with  the  care  of  these  pigeons. 


296 


OUR  DOMESTIC  ANIMALS 


Peacock-Tailf.u  Pigeons 


In  Paris  there  are  several  establishments  tor  an  extensive  service  of  messenger  pigeons  for 

the  training  of   military  pigeons,  and   in  times  their  armies. 

of  war  every  private  owner  of  such    birds  is  While  we  have  no  intention  of  concerning 

obliged   to  yield  them  up  to  the  government,  ourselves  with  pigeon  sport  (respecting  which 

Italy  and  the  Netherlands  have  both  organized  there  are  detailed  works  and  special  journals), 


^^^^ 

-T 

*- T- ;- 

-^^v- 

<^- 

V            —  -t-    ' 

^     -"-i  .  -   ■> 

B.V.^KETb,   ETC.,   FOR    TRANSPORTING    CARRIER    PiGEONS 


PIGEONS 


297 


we  give  here  some  advice  on  the  training  i)f 
messenger  birds  which  may  be  useful  to  the 
amateur. 

The  )-oung  pigeons  must  be  taught  to  stay 
in  the  basket,  or  hamper,  in  which  they  will  later 
be  taken  to  the  point  of  departure.  When  four 
months  old  the)-  may  be  let  loose,  regularl}-  and 
cautiously,  at  very  short  distances.  During  the 
first  year  this  distance  may  be  increased  to 
about  forty  miles,  which,  however,  is  far  from 
being  the  ma.ximum  for  birds  of  good  promise. 
It  sometimes  happens  that  very  promising  young 
birds  do  not  continue  to  fly  rapidly  ;  and  it  is 
best,  therefore,  to  spare  all  young  birds  and  not 
require  too  much  of  them.  Each  bird  should 
rest  for  some  days  after  a  flight. 

The  second  year  the  distance  should  be  gradu- 
ally increased  until  journeys  of  about  ninety 
miles  can  be  made.  The  third  year  the  bird,  thus 
carefully  trained,  is  fit  to  rejoice  his  master  by 
some  brilliant  successes  at  exhibitions. 

The  best  time  to  begin  exercising  the  birds 
is  the  end  of  May,  when  the  weather  is  settled 
and  likely  to  continue  serene.    Each  bird  should 


be  carefully  examined  before  its  departure. 
Its  feet  and  legs  should  be  washed  in  tepid 
water,  and  all  dust  and  impure  substances  re- 
moved. The  food  must  not  be  too  abundant, 
but  neither  should  the  pigeon  be  led  to  hasten 
its  homeward  flight  by  want  of  food,  for  weak- 
ness and  exhaustion  ma}-  hinder  its  safe  return. 

As  a  domestic  animal  each  pigeon  has  ful- 
filled its  duty  when  it  returns,  safe  and  sound, 
to  our  roof ;  and  we  need  not  trouble  ourselves 
as  to  whether  or  not  it  has  broken  such  or  such 
a  record  by  a  fifth  of  a  second. 

The  messenger  pigeon,  if  trained  for  domes- 
tic use,  brings  much  pleasure  into  the  house- 
hold ;  therefore  we  strongly  advise  that  the 
attempt  be  made  to  raise  them,  and  a  little 
corner  yielded  to  the  dovecote,  near  the  ken- 
nel, out  of  reach  of  cats,  above  the  poultry 
yard,  or  beside  the  stable,  where  their  pleasant 
cooing  may  mingle  with  the  mooing  of  the  cow, 
the  neighing  of  the  horse,  and  the  soft  warbling 
of  the  aviary  birds  in  a  hymn  to  the  glory  of 

OUR   DOMESTIC  ANIMALS. 


Webster  Family  Library  of  Veterinary  Medicine 
Cummings  School  of  Veterinary  Medicine  at 
Tufts  University 
200  v\/8stboro  Road 


Mor+t-,   n.-'^Unn     AAA    AH  COP 


